Hi,


today I changed the engine oil of my Firebird which has the 3.1 LH0 engine. I noticed that there were brass colored flakes in the engine oil.


I opened the oil filter but all was clean there.


What is wrong with the engine? Bearings? Which of them? Camshaft or crankshaft?


Thanks.

 

Bearings yes, no way to tell without taking it apart which ones though, most likely rod/mains

 

Is it anyhow possible to replace the rod/mains without taking the entire engine out of the car?

 

Rods yes mains no. How much brass did you find, and do you have any knocking?

 

Rods yes, mains yes. It's called a "roll" install, where you roll the main bearing in while turning the crankshaft.
I didn't say it was easy, but compared to removing the engine...........
Of course this assumes that the journals are in usable shape.
And with the main bearings, the grooved half goes to the block side.

 

I've had the chance to do the roll-install on an inline-4 cylinder engine which was quite easy. Taking of the sump seems to be difficult because the sub-frame is in the way. (LH0 engine)

 

Just doing an oil pan gasket in the car was bad enough. I'd just pull the engine. You most likely have other gaskets and stuff that you'd want to replace anyway. If you've never pulled an engine it can sound intimidating, but it really isn't too bad.

 

Drive it till it dies and swap ina 3.4

 

I have a solid 3.1l in Michigan, where are you located? I'm just south of detroit. Has a delta 260 cam in it as well!