1968 evinrude 18 HP wear in block

[james__12345]

I had a problem with this motor breaking starters due to vertical movement of the flywheel. I finally opened the block up and somehow the center crank bearing has worn a groove under it. Is there any way to fix this by having a spacer machined to fit the groove or do I need a whole new powerhead?

 

[F_R]

Wow. I don't have an answer, just a comment. I've worked on too many of those motors to count, and can say that I've never encountered that much wear in the center bearing. Unusual indeed.

Just thinking without looking at it, as a machinist I am thinking any thrust washer you put in there would have to be split to get around the shaft. Then comes the problem of holding it in place. Perhaps a washer on one of the end bearings?? Like I said, I don't have one in front of me.

 

[Tim Frank]

Presumably there must be matching wear on the lower bearing/thrust washer.
How do they look?