Who has backyard rebuilt an LDT?

[fpchief]

I think I am to the point of swapping motors and will most likely get a working used motor to drop in but I want to rebuild the take out and then eventually drop it back in. What I am concerned about is the logistics of it. The LDT will not hang on a conventional motor stand...looking for some insight on what you may have done. Must be able to get to top and bottom of motor so is my only real option a big commerical sized stand? Any surprises in the rebuild? I have rebult Chevy big blocks but not one of these.

 

[snowtrac nome]

They aren't bad if you have no damage to the crank you can do it in the truck. You will need special tools to torque the heads.

 

[NDT]

Set it on the bellhousing for bottom end work, then set on wood blocks to assy top end.

 

[cattlerepairman]

I rebuilt an LDS standing on its bell housing in the back of a utility trailer (prevented me from having to crawl around on the ground). I used cargo straps to secure it and lower it down for dealing with the deck and heads.

 

[fpchief]

I rebuilt an LDS standing on its bell housing in the back of a utility trailer (prevented me from having to crawl around on the ground). I used cargo straps to secure it and lower it down for dealing with the deck and heads.

That is what i was thinking, having it on my 16' trailer. I used to have to plasti-gauge the bearings, etc. All that needed for these engines?

 

[rustystud]

That is what i was thinking, having it on my 16' trailer. I used to have to plasti-gauge the bearings, etc. All that needed for these engines?

You always need to check the crank and rod journals on every engine. Even if it's a new crank. Especially if it's a new crank !
Bearings are supposed to be held to certain tolerances but mistakes happen. Also mis-packaging of bearings happens. It has happened to me several times. I needed a .020 over bearing kit and one was standard. If I had not checked all the bearings that would have caused that one bearing to seize and gall the crap out of the crankshaft.
There is "never" shortcuts in rebuilding a quality engine. Never.
At the transit agency it would take "trained" mechanics a week to rebuild an engine. Then it was Dyno tested. Same with all the automatic transmissions.

 

[cattlerepairman]

If you are in there anyway I would not even bother plasti-gaging the bearings. I did mine and what did I learn? That I ought to put new ones in. So - put new ones in and be done. Rod and crankshaft bearings. If yours still has the hex head rod bolts replace with 12-point (upgraded; stronger).

 

[rustystud]

If you are in there anyway I would not even bother plasti-gaging the bearings. I did mine and what did I learn? That I ought to put new ones in. So - put new ones in and be done. Rod and crankshaft bearings. If yours still has the hex head rod bolts replace with 12-point (upgraded; stronger).

No you missed the point. You need to check "All" new bearings. Like I mentioned about the mis-packaged bearing, you never know what will happen. So check everything.

 

[cattlerepairman]

Yes...blue-eyed, bushy-tailed me believed the label on the box that advertised ".20 oversized bearings"...I did not re-measure. I get your point and see the risk.

 

[rustystud]

Yes...blue-eyed, bushy-tailed me believed the label on the box that advertised ".20 oversized bearings"...I did not re-measure. I get your point and see the risk.

Sadly that happens more then you think ! Mislabeled bearings can really ruin your day !