HELP, found a small piece of steel in my oil pan

92ufogt · 10-13-2003, 12:22 PM

i pulled my motor out this weekend to replace the rear main seal. when i drained the oil i found a small piece of steel. it measures around a 32nd thick, 3/16" wide and about an 1/2" long. i has a slight curve to it. attached is a picture of it. what could it be?

silver_pilate · 10-13-2003, 12:54 PM

Kinda looks like a piece of bearing to me.

--nathan

10-13-2003, 02:43 PM

Oh man! That can't be good. Was your motor running & sounding ok before you pulled it? I feel for ya man...

billheis · 10-13-2003, 02:47 PM

Yeah I agree with others, time to pull the pan and check bearings. I've never seen a piece of bearing come out like that without spinning one. Your oil pressue should be lower and some new noise coming from bottom end, Good luck!
Bill

92ufogt · 10-13-2003, 03:02 PM

motor sounded just fine. i had it started just before i pulled it. not only that it only has maybe 400 miles on it and has never been over 5500 rpm. the oil pressure is just fine too.

QuantumMotorsports · 10-13-2003, 03:32 PM

Man, I don't have any idea how a bearing could break and come out like that. I'm sure anything is possible, but damn. that sucks

Jeff Chambers · 10-13-2003, 04:22 PM

Kinda looks like a piece of cam bearing to me. Its possible that the bearing was broken if/when it wasn't installed straight/correctly.

stang_racer20 · 10-13-2003, 10:51 PM

thats definitely a piece of a bearing. its curve isnt that great though so i would guess a peice of a main cap because a main journal baring measures about 2 to 2.5" across. a cam bearing is only a bout 1.75" across. if your engine is still pulled out or even if its not, find and fix the problem before you start it up a again! let us know what you find man.

QuantumMotorsports · 10-14-2003, 12:30 AM

You know, i think Jeff is right, that must be a cam bearing, you said it was really thin right? Main bearings are at least 1/16th thick, cam bearings are a bit thinner though. And it's awefully narrow. I'm gonna put my money on a cam bearing. You might pull the cam and see if you see any evidence of a bearing breaking and tearing up a cam journal.

pedley · 10-14-2003, 01:06 AM

my money is on the cam bearing aswell looks thinner then a mian bearing
but althought doesn't have the bend like a cam bearing does
so maybe its a main bearing but defently a bearing from somewhere

GOOD LUCK !!

KiltedBanshees93GT · 10-14-2003, 10:51 AM

Can you take a picture of that piece again with a ruler in the frame? That will give some scale.

J

RoadWarrior · 10-14-2003, 02:06 PM

Ya that looks like a piece of a bearing to me. I would definately go through the motor to find out what it is and whats wrong before going much further. I just finished tearing apart my 302 to find out that the new cam i had put in was too soft and the coating started flaking off and got sucked into the oil pump. It killed the motor so now im going with a 460.

QuantumMotorsports · 10-14-2003, 06:07 PM

Just because the thing isn't curved like a cam bearing doesn't mean anything. It got the crap torn out of it because it's not all there, it probably got bent. If it's as thin as you say, it's a cam bearing, that's the only bearing that's that thin, plus it'd be really easy to screw up installing a cam bearing, not so easy to screw up installing a main bearing or rod bearing, also, it'd be a lot more difficult to have a piece of a main or rod bearing come out, all of the mains are surrounded by parts of the crank that stick out. A cam bearing if it were installed slightly wrong could work it's way out and catch on a lobe, and rip the **** out of it and leave a piece in the pan. I'll put a thousand dollars on a cam bearing right now. Any takers?

silver_pilate · 10-15-2003, 11:59 AM

QuantumMotorsports,

I'll take that bet!! See 92ufogt's new post....

--nathan

10-13-2003, 12:54 PM	#2
silver_pilate DURKA DURKA!! Join Date: Sep 1997 Location: Lubbock, TX...(TX panhandle) Posts: 1,418	Kinda looks like a piece of bearing to me. --nathan __________________ '91 GT, Coast 347, 9.5:1 compression, full intake, Wolverine 1087 cam, exhaust, Keith Craft ported Windsor Jr. Irons (235 cfm intake, 195 cfm exhaust), AOD, PI 3500 converter, Lentech valve body, 3.73's (4.10's in the works), and Yokohama ES100's out back. Daily Car: '04 Infiniti G35 Sedan 6MT

10-13-2003, 02:43 PM	#3
Simi Stang Guest Posts: n/a	ouch! Oh man! That can't be good. Was your motor running & sounding ok before you pulled it? I feel for ya man...

10-13-2003, 02:47 PM	#4
billheis Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Posts: 178	Yeah I agree with others, time to pull the pan and check bearings. I've never seen a piece of bearing come out like that without spinning one. Your oil pressue should be lower and some new noise coming from bottom end, Good luck! Bill __________________ Bill Heiser 90 Convertable 5.0 LX, ported E7s w/ THumper valve job, TFS street, FR 65mm TB, B cam w/1.7 cobra rockers, kirban AFPR, Mac CAI, Mac Headers, off road h, 3 chamber flows, Crane ign. box, 3:73s, Art Carr AOD & 2600 converter

10-13-2003, 03:02 PM	#5
92ufogt Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 19	motor sounded just fine. i had it started just before i pulled it. not only that it only has maybe 400 miles on it and has never been over 5500 rpm. the oil pressure is just fine too. __________________ 02 GT Stock 92 GT Carbed 351

10-13-2003, 03:32 PM	#6
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	Man, I don't have any idea how a bearing could break and come out like that. I'm sure anything is possible, but damn. that sucks __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

10-13-2003, 04:22 PM	#7
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Kinda looks like a piece of cam bearing to me. Its possible that the bearing was broken if/when it wasn't installed straight/correctly. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

10-13-2003, 10:51 PM	#8
stang_racer20 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 348	thats definitely a piece of a bearing. its curve isnt that great though so i would guess a peice of a main cap because a main journal baring measures about 2 to 2.5" across. a cam bearing is only a bout 1.75" across. if your engine is still pulled out or even if its not, find and fix the problem before you start it up a again! let us know what you find man. __________________ 92 Mustang GT, 347 Stroker(Forged Steel Crank/Rods-Balanced, Forged Aluminum Dished Pistons), Trick Flow Track Heat Intake, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads w/ Stage 3 port/polish, 80mm C&L MAF, FMS 30# Inj., BBK AFPR, Trick Flow Stage 2 Cam, Trick Flow 1.6R Rockers, BBK E.L. Headers, Flowmaster Cat-Back, MAC CAI, FMS Pulleys, Griffin Alum. Radiator, MSD Pro-Billet Distributor; AOD, Dynamic 3300 Lockup Converter, B & M Super Cooler, B&M Ratchet Shifter; 3:73 gears.

10-14-2003, 12:30 AM	#9
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	You know, i think Jeff is right, that must be a cam bearing, you said it was really thin right? Main bearings are at least 1/16th thick, cam bearings are a bit thinner though. And it's awefully narrow. I'm gonna put my money on a cam bearing. You might pull the cam and see if you see any evidence of a bearing breaking and tearing up a cam journal. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

10-14-2003, 01:06 AM	#10
pedley Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: canada Posts: 74	*that sucks man!!=(** my money is on the cam bearing aswell looks thinner then a mian bearing but althought doesn't have the bend like a cam bearing does so maybe its a main bearing but defently a bearing from somewhere GOOD LUCK !!

10-14-2003, 10:51 AM	#11
KiltedBanshees93GT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Pigeon Forge Tn Posts: 611	Can you take a picture of that piece again with a ruler in the frame? That will give some scale. J __________________ ____________ '66 Mustang Coupe- AKA "Lenore" on disability for a (long) bit '93 GT Mostly stock AKA "Fawkes" Rice Haters Club Member #239 "I find your lack of faith...disturbing." "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats." H. L. Mencken

10-14-2003, 02:06 PM	#12
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	Ya that looks like a piece of a bearing to me. I would definately go through the motor to find out what it is and whats wrong before going much further. I just finished tearing apart my 302 to find out that the new cam i had put in was too soft and the coating started flaking off and got sucked into the oil pump. It killed the motor so now im going with a 460. __________________ Fast Company

10-14-2003, 06:07 PM	#13
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	Just because the thing isn't curved like a cam bearing doesn't mean anything. It got the crap torn out of it because it's not all there, it probably got bent. If it's as thin as you say, it's a cam bearing, that's the only bearing that's that thin, plus it'd be really easy to screw up installing a cam bearing, not so easy to screw up installing a main bearing or rod bearing, also, it'd be a lot more difficult to have a piece of a main or rod bearing come out, all of the mains are surrounded by parts of the crank that stick out. A cam bearing if it were installed slightly wrong could work it's way out and catch on a lobe, and rip the **** out of it and leave a piece in the pan. I'll put a thousand dollars on a cam bearing right now. Any takers? __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

10-15-2003, 11:59 AM	#14
silver_pilate DURKA DURKA!! Join Date: Sep 1997 Location: Lubbock, TX...(TX panhandle) Posts: 1,418	QuantumMotorsports, I'll take that bet!! See 92ufogt's new post.... --nathan __________________ '91 GT, Coast 347, 9.5:1 compression, full intake, Wolverine 1087 cam, exhaust, Keith Craft ported Windsor Jr. Irons (235 cfm intake, 195 cfm exhaust), AOD, PI 3500 converter, Lentech valve body, 3.73's (4.10's in the works), and Yokohama ES100's out back. Daily Car: '04 Infiniti G35 Sedan 6MT

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