The snap ring is pretty far up in the block. Not sure I can get a screw driver on it, but may revisit tonight.
What's left up in the engine is an outer race, needle bearings and a snap ring. There might be a spacer on the balance gear shaft too. I'm pretty confident that without the mass/weight of the balance gear (since I've removed it), the snap ring has no reason to come off. If it did, I think it and the other items would find their way to the bottom of the oil pan - where I have a magnetic drain plug. Even if a needle bearing or snap ring came off and got smacked by the crank while running, I don't think it would open a window on the block like a balance gear flying around in there...
But - I'll try again to get the needle bearing assy out again.
Thanks!
Bill