Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

[sask tracker 1542]

I was in the process of doing a Impeller change and gear case overhaul when 9 needle bearings feel out of the leg.

I am very inexperienced with outboard motors and mechanics in general. So im stuck at this point.

From looking through my manual I think these Needle bearings are from the connecting rods and have come loose or broke free.

This motor was run last summer and didnt show any issues. in fact it ran really good.

Could this be the result of something i did when dropping the lower unit?
Could this be the result of even bigger problems?
Do i have to pull the entire engine apart to fix this? according to the manual im pulling the carb, the flywheel, exhaust housing and more to fix this.. is there a way to just get at the crank shaft?

 

[Cap'n Chaos]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

Post your model number so we know what motor you have.... someone here can tell you what to look for.

 

[boobie]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

Model # ?? Did you start to take the g/c apart and how far ??

 

[sask tracker 1542]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

1973 Evinrude 18 hp 18304A

 

[sask tracker 1542]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

yes i took the gear case apart. It's been pulled apart and cleaned. i'm almost ready to Reassemble the lower unit. new O rings and spaghetti seal.

 

[Cap'n Chaos]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

Well darn... I have a 72 18202

You have a needle bearing in the gearcase... that the driveshaft goes through... I would bet they came from there.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

I assume those are the needle bearings for your drive shaft. There is a slot that they fit into, I use grease to hold them in place when I re-assemble the drive shaft.

 

[Cap'n Chaos]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

pull up a schematic... part # 383829

# 50 on the diagram

 

[sask tracker 1542]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

well in my exploded diagram theres no picture of needle bearings or a housing for them. the only place i can see them is in the crankshaft.

heres the diagram.

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...18304A&manufacturer=Evinrude&section=Gearcase

 

[sask tracker 1542]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

on the schematic # 50 it shows a bearing just below the water pump i believe is this where they came from?

 

[Cap'n Chaos]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

Yep... that one.

 

[sask tracker 1542]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

well i'll go look at it. i hope thats where thay are from.. thanks for the info. i'll go check right now and get back to you guys...

 

[Cap'n Chaos]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

Let me know how its goes with the seal job.... I may be doing this on mine soon - if I ever get a chance to test it properly that is.

As far as replacing the seal and that bearing underneath it someone else will have to assist.... that is a job I have not done...yet.

 

[sask tracker 1542]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

okay i went and looked and a few more pins came out so I think you nailed it..(so happy I didnt start pulling the engine apart.)

My next question is how do i get the brass seal located above the bearing out? can I just pry it out with a screw driver? I dont have a seal puller.

and thank you so much for helping me with this by the way.

 

[sask tracker 1542]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

thanks Captain for all your help...

 

[Cap'n Chaos]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

I'm glad I was able to finally help someone on here.

I've read about doing the job... be careful not to damage the aluminum where the bearing goes in and the area where the seal will be seated. I "think" a screwdriver can be used and a block of wood for leverage... you'll mangle the seal from what I have read.

FR knows these older motors...maybe he will chime in and tell you the easy way to do it.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

Wow, this is an interesting one. Typically, if you're loosing needle bearings from your motor and dropping them onto the gearcase, then your pistons will play hell ingesting them. It's almost like swallowing a handfull of deck screws and waiting for them to come out the other end, without them ripping your guts apart. Ain't gonna happen. If your motor still runs good, then it's hard telling where the needle bearings came from, unless someone is pulling a prank on you. If you want to do some simple checking, pull the bypass covers and make sure it's clean inside. Motors with bearings rambling around in there will leave a nasty black residue inside the crankcase and in the intake ports. Plus, if needle bearings are dancing around in there, your pistons that catch them will catch hell from it and so will the cylinders. I picked up a '57 Johnson RD one time, that went through this much indigestion and the entire powerhead was wasted as a result. So, check that out and take a compression test.

 

[sask tracker 1542]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

Well Zephyr.. Thanks to cap n chaos he pointed to the drive shaft bearing. which turned out to be the culprit. When i pulledthe driveshaft out, the pins were free to fall out.

I have since pulled the oil seal and the bearing out. and it will all hopefully go back together and run without issue. ( fingers crossed)

Thanks for the help People. I'm really impressed with the quick answers I got form here.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Needle bearings fell out of leg when I was overhauling the gear case

Cool deal. Glad you got things figured out.