Posted in engine section but qwanted to see if anybody over here knows. I am in the process of replacing the head gasket and some bent valves and was convinced to go ahead and replace the rings and rod bearings since the head was off and in the machine shop. I am preparing it for the friend of mine that is coming over later this afternoon to do the tuff stuff (take off old rings and put new ones on and install the rod bearings) that require tools I don't have and the know how. Got the oil pan down and see that there is a cradle looking thing that is blocking the ends of the rods. I have removed all of the long bolts that bolt it to the block but am unsure how to break it loose and I don't want to screw something up or crack it by hitting on it. Anybody have the experience in doing something like this and can tell me how to break that thing loose? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

gently whack it with a rubber mallet or deadblow hammer

 

I got it figured out. The way I described it over the phone, my friend thought it was something else. When he got over here it was the main bearing journals. That doesn't come down. Just gotta go up in there and break the rod caps loose. Thanks.

 

You don't have to drop that to pull the rod caps. I just did this a month ago.