Experienced mechanics whats wrong with this bearing?

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

You definitely overheated the engine and had water boil over past the head gaskets...

Now my question is whether you pulled the bleed plug when you did any sort of draining of the cooling system? The bleed plug in on top of the engine and takes an allen wrench and you probably had to use a pipe to make it budge the first time.

I know the bleed plug you're talking about but I didn't bleed the coolant system from there. I filled it from the cap. Was that my mistake?

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by KevinP73

I know the bleed plug you're talking about but I didn't bleed the coolant system from there. I filled it from the cap. Was that my mistake?

Bingo. You let air sit in the heads and lots of air will sit up in there. It is impossible to properly, and I mean impossible to drain any coolant and refill the 4.7 without pulling the bleed plug. The radiator is just slightly lower than the highest point on the engine - when this is the case you need to use the vehicle water pump to bleed the system. That plug should be taken out and the engine started...it will SHOOT all over the place and you shut it off...then you can put a funnel and fill from bleeder with engine off. Start again with the bleeder cracked so it can seep all the air out until you see water coming out. It wouldn't hurt to squeeze the top hose some with the engine at idle, cold and the cap off (obviously do everything with the engine cold but I don't have to tell that to someone rebuilding the bottom end of an engine, sorry!). If you need anything else just holler.

[KevinP73]

Thanks, not what I wanted to hear but it was driving me crazy why I cooked it in the first place. This truck has been great but I have to admit I'm far more familiar with early Chevy's.

[EarlyPorsche]

There is not enough emphasis on the warning sticker under the hood. There should be a red plastic clamp-on sign that sits on top of the bleed screw warning what could happen if you don't bleed using the screw.

[KevinP73]

The motor is back in and everything has been plugged in, fresh oil with new filter(filled filter before installing it) and the was battery charged. Turned the key and it started almost right away. It took a few seconds to build oil pressure but once it did it quieted right down. Everything sounds looks and feels like it's running right.
I followed the cooling system refill as per Haynes manual and EarlyPorsche' recommendations. With the bleed screw removed there is a constant trickle of little bubbles coming from the coolant. They don't seem to ever end. It's not a very secure feeling knowing what the consequences can be if it's not done properly.