It always seems to me that #4 almost never needs shims removed...probably because it gets the most oil.
Anybody else notice this?
Be sure and check it anyway. I know of one Model T where the "mechanic" tightened the first 3 rods and said "I think #4 is OK. Later #4 lost babbit and caused the magneto to fail. So when you check the rods, check all them.
Norm
A lot of guys with three dip pans don't like the headache of dealing with the #4 rod. Not a good idea because those pans don't have a full dipper trough. Get it done while you are there. I have seen a lot of these pans with dams installed to keep that rod in oil.
Erik
I hate working under a T and the oil drips. So I set aside a whole day and pull the engine out. Turn it over. Remove the pan and check ALL the bearings. And usually fix a oil leak or two while I am at it
Les,
You must be a lot younger than I. I would take about 3 or 4 days to do what you do in a whole day. One day to remove all external parts such as hood, radiator, lights splash aprons steering column. Another day to detach the engine and pull it. Maybe if I feel up to it, pull off the hogs head and crankcase and adjust things, maybe do that the next day. Then another day to re-install the engine and the next to put on all the external parts. Maybe if I feel up to it, start the engine, maybe wait till the next day. If on any of those days I should wake up all achy, I would rest that day and do the rest of the work some other day.
Norm
So seeing my above post, I try to do as much while the engine is in the car as I can. However I don't attempt to adjust the mains with the engine in.
Norm
Norm
I'm 65. I've done it several times in one day without breaking a sweat. I will admit that my cars were carefully assembled when I restored them. Everything fits easily
I might be able to, but why? I have 3 Model T's and am retired. If I do it all in one day, then I will have several days to be bored. In the old days I would start after work and then be up almost all night working on a car and then go to work the next day, but why now?
I have plenty of time. I am the guy who cuts weeds on an acre with a hoe. That way I get exercise and the job lasts all year long. By the time I get them all cut, the next crop is ready to cut!
Norm
I think the above posts are a good argument for 4 dip pans. I will let the purists fight the 4th rod on a 3 dip pan and I will install four dip pans in all my Ts. That reminds me of the guys that put the castle nuts on the four bolts that hold the pan arms when the body is already on the frame.