I have a low miles "built" VQ35de engine from IPP. It has been a very LONG work in progress, and driven less then 300 miles since the build.

Oil pressure has been low, and I was getting ready to pull the timing apart to replace all of the oil gaskets/seals in hopes that it was just the oil gallery gasket.

Dropped the oil pan tonight to find two thrust washers laying in there. One of them mangled pretty badly. I am hoping this was caused by the low oil pressure, and not something else.

Looking for advice on how to proceed.

When it was built, ACL bearings were used (according to the invoice).

Would I be OK to just replace all 4 thrust washers? Should I also replace rod and/or main bearings too? Is it safe to remove the main/rod bearings to "check" them for wear, etc?

What brand of bearing is recommended? Stick with ACL? Nissan OEM? Something else?

Any good write ups on checking clearances, if I need some non-standard size? (invoice from IPP says they were standard).

Thanks in advance for the expert advice!

 

Surprised there are no responses...

 

Unfortunately forum traffic isnt what it used to be.

Checking clearances id refer to the FSM.

If you paid to have the engine built by a shop Id argue its their problem and they need to fix it.

I would tear it down and inspect everything. If it blew the thrust washers this early on, id be skeptical of the work they did on the rest of the engine.

 

^ What he said.

Fwiw afaik.... IPP doesn't do machining. Just installation of parts.

But I haven't talked to or heard about them in aggggeeesssss. So who knows who's doing thier work of even if Kyle still works there.

 

I am disappointed that Kyle has not responded to my emails for a while now. Not sure if he is just "done" with me, or no longer in business? But, in all fairness, he built the engine back in 2012, and I installed my "junkyard" timing cover which I (now) believe has a bad oil gallery gasket. The engine always had low oil pressure once it was warmed up. I am going by the assumption that the bearing damage is because of the low oil pressure- so, I have no reason to question the quality of work from IPP.

Full bearing set has been ordered. Hopefully will have it in the next week or so. Seems the ACL bearings are in short supply.

 

Don't forget to plastigauge it!

 

I considered that, but it is not like I have a stack of different size bearings to swap it out.