[Spridgets] Bearings Replacement

[Ron Soave]

--- On Sat, 3/12/11, Bert Shirey <bertshirey at zoominternet.net> wrote:
> From:
Bert Shirey <bertshirey at zoominternet.net>
>      What is a source for good
quality
> bearings ? I don`t want to end up doing
 
Peter C. is your first
stop, peter at nosimport.com. If not, call Rod at Spridgetech, he can probably
hook you up with Vandervells or Clevites. Worst case, the AE tri-metals or
King Israeli made tri-metals are good for street use.

Changing the bearings
with motor installed is easy. The pan is easily accessible. Drain the oil. Use
a wrench to crack each bolt on the pan, there are 13 or 14 of them, then use a
drill with a screwdriver bit to remove the 1/4 - 28 bolts. Save the oval
washers/ (even a simple cordlass screwdriver on an extension works). The pan
will come off pretty easily, if it doesn't you left one of the fore or aft
bolts in. I have had clean oil drain and found shattered bearings in the pan,
so don't assume clean oil means you're done. Remove the pickup with a 15/16"
(I'm pretty sure) open end and 7/16" for the ears that bolt into the bearing
caps. You can take off the screen by undo-ing the 2 nuts on the back side of
the pickup, so do that and give it a cleaning. 

The first bearing to wear is
#4, start there. Rotate the crank to bring the piston down (PULL THE SPARK
PLUGS first!! Much easier with no compression) Undo the rod nuts, nudge the
bearing cap off and inspect/change the bearing. Rotating the crank a bit
helps. To get the other half off, push the rod up in the cylinder and you can
pop off the bearing. Repeat as necessary. For the mains, start with #2 and
you'll change the thrust washers as well while you're in there. #3 main
reguires pulling the motor and removing the flywheel and rear plate. If #2 is
good, chances are #'s 1 and 3 are also.

Good luck - hope that helps,
Ron