I have ordered new rod bearing cap bolts from Chris at Rippy... I'm so ready to turn the corner and begin reassembly. If I only knew at the time I opened the rod bearing caps what I know now, I would have left them and the crankshaft alone... Only the main bearings were bad... Once again, experience comes right after you needed it.
this project is getting downright expensive. The service manual says you can re-use rod bearings if they are within specs, but after hearing members say they might get out of round... Plus the fact that I think I may have gotten a couple of them mixed up when I pulled the crankshaft, I guess I'll get new ones. As much as I would love to get GM bearings, I just have to find a way to save money. Anybody have any suggestions? There is a full set of main + rod bearings on ebay for $160 According to the listing, they are made by "King". The guy at the machine shop said King bearings are good, anybody have any experience with them?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/93-03-Cadil...es&hash=item460154d715&vxp=mtr#ht_4517wt_1058
My advice to anybody doing head gaskets is to not get in any deeper than you need to. Once you separate the lower case and go all the way in and replace all bearings, you are signing up for at least $600 more in parts not including the cost of the rear main seal installer tool... Or new rings.
In my case, I did need to reseal the midcase, but hindsight tells me I should have only replaced the main bearings and put it back together.
Not including any tools, this is only a very rough estimate of where I am so far...
Head gasket kit + bolts------------ $260
Parts/supplies for sealing midcase-- $250
Heads serviced---------------------$100
Main & Rod Bearing kit--------------$200 (est.)
Rod Bearing bolts-------------------$100
Insert Kit--------------------------$400
Oil & Filter-------------------------$50
Timing chain tensioner--------------$40
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Total so far for the above parts ----$1,400
Also I discovered I am going to need...
Front motor mount
Heater core
Battery cable (maybe both)
And then there are other things that could be replaced as a preventative measure, like oil pump, some hoses, etc. Anybody who takes on this job needs to count the cost first and weigh it against the value of their car. I will be fine, but not by much! I have actually spent even more on a few tools, etc. but I didn't count that.