So I'm at the same stage as you are. Do you guys think that new pistons would be a good idea since its open? I know of only one person that had an engine failure due to a cracked piston, but...

I was lucky in that I don't have any apparent damage to the bottom end. Should I replace all the crank bearings even if the platigauge shows its fine? 200,000mi

 

ok i ran into an issue, i installed the main bearings and plastigauged them, they are well within specs, so i install the crank, it turns freely and very smooth, next step, pistons and rods. ok i install the pistons and check the plastigauge, its at the top of the specs, but within specs, i torque it down and go the 90 degress and i have to leap on the breaker bar at the crank to turn the engine over wth? its only one piston installed and im having to jump on the breakerbar????????

 

Did you put the piston in backwards, or are you sure its the piston that came out of that cylinder

 

Also, go buy some ATF and put a little bit in the cylinders, it will help pre pube the walls and make it easier to turn the crank by hand

 

LUBED THEM WITH ENGINE OIL, ATF IS BETTER? sorry caps.

 

new pistons and rings and bearings and all, lubed with cam lube at first, then i removed them all thinking it was the lube being to thick, and lubed it all with mototr oil...

 

I use lubriplate 105 for engine assembly, but I really doubt that the lube is your problem.

So if I understand correctly, you have only installed 1 piston and connected it to the crank and now the engine is binding.... hmmmmm

If that is the case, maybe try pulling that piston and installing a different one in a different hole and check for binding.
I don't know, it may be more trouble than it is worth, but something is definately wrong.

 

What about the rings? New? What's the ring end gap?

 

new rings and they are at 0.32 within specs. im gonna go tear this thing down again and see wth is going on here, tried all 6 in 4 different cylinders and still have the binding, but the crank spins sooooo fricken smooth, so i know its the rods or pistons somehow?????

 

found the issue, all fricken 6 rods are bent what the heck, so now i went to my local napa, yes napa, and guess who had 7 rods in stock ok so i pick them up and go for the build, hmmmm NICE AND SMOOOOOOTTTTHHHHH NOW
i have never had all the rods bent in any engine, wth would cause this? overheating or bad bearings????
well at least i found that someone here had them, so now im on a mission to get this thing running by tuesday or wed.... lets seeeee

 

Wow, maybe you had a spark knocking problem? When did this "rattling bearing flew to pieces" noise start?

 

about 6 months ago, but i didnt drive it after that and went and bought a 07 tundra and lost interest in the 4runner. and i should have said they where twisted not bent. i moved it once to a different part of the garage, nothin big, 2 car garage

 

well there's your problem...