Upper main bearings?

[relics hunter]

So I was look my motor over (35el79a) because it suddenly started running poorly and found that the fly wheel has about 1/16th inch play to it.So I pulled it and found it was also in the crankshaft. Is it possible this is the upper main bearings being bad or is there supposed to be play like this?

 

[F_R]

If you mean lateral play, you have serious problems. You will have to pull it apart to check for additional damage. Expect to find it beyond repair, but hey you might get lucky.

 

[relics hunter]

OK so I tore into it today and found obvious sign of water intrusion (surface rust, maybe lower seal leaking?) and the crank seems fine other than a little burnishing of color to it but I'm ordering all new bearings for it. now for my next Question, can you recommend an easy way to remove the old metal lower seal?

 

[F_R]

Be sure to pull and inspect the exhaust cover & gaskets. Water could be coming from there.

 

[emdsapmgr]

I ran 35 hp Johnson for years on my pontoon. 1979. Ran it hard, and at lot at WOT. Mine destroyed the top bearing also. Lots of play, but still ran fine.
My master OMC tech said this was a common problem on these 23/35 hp engines. I put in a new bearing and seal, and it ran great till I sold it.

 

[relics hunter]

Is there a special tool for replacing the lower crankshaft bearing? I know it's a press fit.