Main bearing removal

mobermiller · #1 07-15-2015, 09:43 AM

Hello all. How does one remove the main bearing from the engine block on a k 161 without ruining the bearing. The other bearing came out with the crank and is very tight as well. I know I could beat them out with punches and so on but they are good and I want to reuse them.

Thanks for the advice!

Sam Mac · #2 07-15-2015, 10:02 AM

I've never done one but the service manual says to use a press.

ol'George · #3 07-15-2015, 12:38 PM

Not familiar with the block but I assume it is the OD of the bearing that is in the block.
If so, AND you can get to the outer race with a brass punch, carefully tap it out with that.
it you hit on the ID of the bearing you prolly will Brinell the races.
If the punch method is not possible,
possibly you can put a long socket of proper diameter on the bearing ID race and lay the engine on a press and push it out carefully.
but you would be putting pressure through the balls to the races, not what you are wanting to do.
sometimes things are not a perfect world and you damage a bearing removing it.
Do you have to remove the bearing? sometimes you can leave it and just destroy the separate outer lip seal so the bearing can be washed out.
Just throwing out ideas here as no pix to go by.
hope this helps.

dvogtvpe · #4 07-15-2015, 07:42 PM

those bearings are pretty beefy and can take allot. brass drift and a hammer . tap them out.

olds45512 · #5 07-15-2015, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvogtvpe

those bearings are pretty beefy and can take allot. brass drift and a hammer . tap them out.

That's how I do it and have never had a problem.

mobermiller · #6 07-16-2015, 12:37 AM

Yea, the way the bearing is in the block, there is no access to the outer race. I'll try tapping it out. I have to remove the bearing because I have to have the block bored out.

Thanks a lot!

bocephus1991 · #7 07-16-2015, 12:40 AM

Watch so that a piece of that brass punch doesn't chip off and get lodged in the bearing.

ol'George · #8 07-16-2015, 08:28 AM

Can you put a thick washer/nut on the bearing bore, using a all-thread rod pull from the other side with a piece of angle iron or whatever on the other side of the block? apply a little heat from a propane torch around the bearing on the block, don't get crazy with the heat, a bit might help a lot and you can always tap a bit on the all thread @ the same time.
I'm assuming the bearing goes to the inside of the block upon removal?
If not just space it up and pull to the outside.
Clear as mud?

mobermiller · #9 07-17-2015, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol'George

Can you put a thick washer/nut on the bearing bore, using a all-thread rod pull from the other side with a piece of angle iron or whatever on the other side of the block? apply a little heat from a propane torch around the bearing on the block, don't get crazy with the heat, a bit might help a lot and you can always tap a bit on the all thread @ the same time.
I'm assuming the bearing goes to the inside of the block upon removal?
If not just space it up and pull to the outside.
Clear as mud?

Hmmm,

good idea. Thanks so much!

J-Mech · #10 07-18-2015, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvogtvpe

those bearings are pretty beefy and can take allot. brass drift and a hammer . tap them out.

That's how I do it too.....

No need to go to all the trouble to make a puller or set it in a press. It will tap out with a hammer. Unless you get stupid, you won't hurt that bearing.