Guys, I'd like to move on replacing the slipper-bearings on my TP Magna wagon. 440,000 and going strong. 12 ks per litre!

Is there a possibility it can be done without removing the head and or the engine?

yes you can take the sump off 10 mm bolts
remove center member
exhaust remove - best right out of the way

do you need torque specs

you can only replace the same size bearings

dont think they could be std @ 440,000 km .. but wont know that till you take a shell out . the number will be on the back

yes you can do the conrods bearings
remember if the cylinder has a sharp lip
the new bearings may bring the pistons and rings closer to the lip
take out the spark plugs
dont push the pistons too high up

whats the problem low oil pressure ?

dont normally do lowers like this unless you know of a specific problem

if the crank is out a few thou you wont be able to tell

oil pressure of the motor should improve after bearings are fitted

still have to work clean .. one bit of grit on the replaced bearing and you are back where you started .. - air compressor - clean engine oil .no dust

the mains ---dont know how tight it will get to turn the crank near the end
you would have to undo one cap at a time ..
and roll the top half of the bearings into correct position
then the bottom bearing shell
torque up

Why do half a job though?
At near half a million km, there are other things that will need more attention, like chain drive components, valve stem seals, etc.
If you want to replace bearings because you have a bearing knock, be advised that a knocking big end can put the conrod big end out of shape, and slipping in new bearing shells can lead to seizure.

yes you can take the sump off 10 mm bolts
remove center member
exhaust remove - best right out of the way

do you need torque specs

you can only replace the same size bearings

dont think they could be std @ 440,000 km .. but wont know that till you take a shell out . the number will be on the back

yes you can do the conrods bearings
remember if the cylinder has a sharp lip
the new bearings may bring the pistons and rings closer to the lip
take out the spark plugs
dont push the pistons too high up

whats the problem low oil pressure ?

dont normally do lowers unless you know of a specific problem

if the crank is out a few thou you wont be able to tell

still have to work clean .. one bit of grit on the replaced bearing and you are back where you started .. - air compressor - clean engine oil .no dust

the mains ---dont know how tight it will get to turn the crank near the end
you would have to undo one cap at a time ..
and roll the top half of the bearings into correct position
then the bottom bearing shell
torque up

Thanks very much for the great reply. I really appreciate you going to that trouble for me.

Yep, I hear where you are coming from. And I've considered that very closely.
But I got f****d over by a junk-yard dog in a wrecking yard over a transmission and am now having to pay an tranny outfit to redo the whole thing over again. All up it's cost me over $1500. So money is the big director of procedure here. When you are on the pension, cash becomes a all consuming focus.

Why do half a job though?
At near half a million km, there are other things that will need more attention, like chain drive components, valve stem seals, etc.
If you want to replace bearings because you have a bearing knock, be advised that a knocking big end can put the conrod big end out of shape, and slipping in new bearing shells can lead to seizure.
Got to agree with Madmax, do the best job that you can afford

what other information do you need

<<also on a pension

I'm a card carrying member of the Pensioner Union too.

(Currently have 4 cars in my name. lol)

do you mean 12 k's per litre or 12 Litres per 100 Km.

Yep, in New Speak it's 12ks per litre. I was getting 13.9 a while back so will have to check out what has happened.

It's 34 mpg in English.

Thanks for that MB. Got all the torque settings in the w/s manual. A Gregory's manual, not one of those milk and water Haynes things.