Cam Bearing Discovery.

[Tim Wagner]

Im in the process of a rebuild of my 89, 85hp.
I got to the point where the cam gets installed and in it went.
BUT, I made an alarming discovery.
One of those rings on the two middle bearings is a lot shorter than the other.
Im pretty certain its broken but I cannot find the piece.
When originally removed the cam, it came out and was wrapped up in a towel and put on the shelf. I guess if its broke I did it somehow removing the cam.
I dont know what to do?
Any suggestions?
I attached a pretty crappy picture but you can see the one end of the broken retainer ring.
I came this far.
Im begging for help.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Cam Bearing Discovery.

Pretty doubtful that it broke while the engine was running. There really isn't any place for it to go while the engine is assembled. I suspect that it was broken sometime in the past by someone working on the motor. Either way, make sure that the broken piece is not in the engine. You can run "as is" depending on how much of the retainer ring is missing, or you can replace the whole bearing assy. It's not a critical part. Once you put both halves of the block together, that holds everything in place.

FYI...That's the crankshaft, not the cam.

 

[Tim Wagner]

Re: Cam Bearing Discovery.

I stand corrected. Crankshaft.
I did realize that after I posted this.
Believe me, I can look much dumber. This is nothing.

I looked that part up and found that its called a seal??
SEAL (#F316579) this is the part number.

Is this correct??

Im not going to put that motor back together knowing that piece is like that. Id guess that about 25% of it is gone. It is tempting to run with it too. But no way.
It costs like 4 bucks. I wouldnt trust that at all. Plus Ive already hacked it back together 3 other times. Thats why Im where Im at now.
Im concerned how easy this tool steel part will flex to get it removed.
I did order 2 of them for just such an emergency from Crowley Marine.

Thanks for the advise

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Cam Bearing Discovery.

OK! Not sure I understand exactly so:

On the crankshaft itself is a flat seal ring which seals the two crankcases from each other. This flat ring should be complete with only a small gap like a piston ring gap when installed. If this is broken, do not assemble the engine. Nothing will be damaged but performance will suffer. Send me a private message, I have some extras.

The two halves of the outer bearing race are held together (temporarily) with a spring ring to ease assembly. This steel wire IS NOT COMPLETE and does not completely encircle the bearing race. If this is what you are worried about, you are not missing a piece. Do not send me a private message LOL

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Cam Bearing Discovery.

Yes listen to Frank. If the cross section of the ring is square, then it's the crank seal. If it's round like a wire no big deal. It just holds the main bearing races together. Those crank seals are very fragile. I always keep a couple extra on hand when doing an engine re-build. Sometimes you have to hold your tongue just right to avoid breaking them when setting the crank into the block. LOL