Johnson 1981 115 Top Bearing Replacement

[ruddy mudder]

Has anyone ever replaced the top bearing on an early 80's OMC v-4 engine without splitting the case? Flywheel has approx. 3/16" side play when rocked by hand, just wondering if the bearing cap can be removed to replace the bearing and be reinstalled without splitting the case, anyone?

 

[racerone]

I think you have more issues than a bad bearing.-----But go ahead and remove that bearing housing.----Easy and no need to split the case.

 

[ruddy mudder]

I think you have more issues than a bad bearing.-----But go ahead and remove that bearing housing.----Easy and no need to split the case.

What other issues come to mind Racer?

 

[racerone]

Broken crankshaft is one.-----The surface of the crank is the inner race.----That is likely damaged as well.

 

[F_R]

Yeah, 3/16" is a LOT. Unless broken, the top end of the crank cannot move that much, unless the other (lower and center) bearings are shot also. That motor needs to come apart for inspection/evaluation.

 

[ruddy mudder]

Correction!! Side movement is 1/16" not 3/16", had a senior moment when doing the original post, sorry about that. Still wondering if pulling the top bearing without splitting the case is possible.

 

[racerone]

Post #2 indicates that you can pull the bearing housing.----And I thought I stated it clearly.----But maybe not clear to some.

 

[ruddy mudder]

What other issues come to mind Racer?

Any advice on removing it? That is a pretty tight fit and reinstalling without gouging the O rings might be a bit tricky?

 

[racerone]

You asked whether it can be removed.----And I say it can be.----Simple as that.

 

[F_R]

I agree, it is possible. Rig up a puller if necessary.

 

[ruddy mudder]

I agree, it is possible. Rig up a puller if necessary.

That is what I was looking for, some advice on the best way to remove it and replace the cap so the O rings won't get gouged or cut on the way back in. Rigging up a puller seems like the only way to get a straight even pull without the side to side prying upward. Thanks for your suggestion, never done this before, never seen it or heard of it being done before, hopefully I can lube it up enough to get it to go back in without a hitch. Thanks!

 

[F_R]

I don't think you will have any problem getting it back in. Truthfully, I haven't removed and replaced that many.. If it comes to that, it usually has other major problems. As mentioned before, the crankshaft is the inner race for the bearing.