the rods can be unbolted from the crank and with coat hangers you can
support the cap while you remove the rod and use the coat hanger to
reinstall the cap and then the rod. measuring the crank would be hard I have
some V block type checker that is designed for this job other than that I
don't know of any tool that would fit in the block and give you a real
measurement. I would see what the rod bearings look like if they show
anything more than a copper color then you should not just hang rods on the
old crank. The 2.1 cranks measure up OK most of the time I would say 90%
plus so chances are replacing the rods and bearings would work. The problem
is that you cant just throw bearings in or reuse the bolts the big end of
the rods need to be sized AND the bolts need to be changed. I take the extra
steps and install the bearings and measure the difference between the crank
and the bearings. I stock rebuilt rods with new non stretch type bolts the
current pricing is $140

going faster miles an hour with the radio on
I remain
Bob Donalds
http://www.bostonengine.com
all rights reserved

----- Original Message -----
From: "Antaki" <wrack@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 11:29 PM
Subject: Re: fixing low oil pressure

> Stan Wilder Wrote:
>
> Yes you can replace the rod bearings without splitting the case.
> Yes you can examine and measure the rod journals on the crank without
> splitting the case.
>
> Causing me to ask -
>
> How???