R51/3 - Front Crankshaft Bearing Cover Assembly question

[Micha]

As part of the front main bearing assembly process, with its bearing cover/house, there is a provision that says it should be heated and then mounted on the crankshaft. Will cooking the entire main bearing house (with bearing and shield assembled inside) in engine oil make the inside race of the bearing warm enough? A bit cumbersome and smelly, isn’t it?
Are there any other methods?

[Daves79x]

The front carrier/bearing assembly does not need to be heated, at least according to the Barrington book and from my experience doing two of them, but I suppose you can heat it a bit. If you have worked quickly enough, the crankshaft should still be quite cold from being in the freezer and the case should still be pretty warm. This will allow the bearing to slide over the crank much of the way and the carrier to fit into the recess. You need to work fairly quickly here. Get the carrier pushed home with the appropriate tools, then bolt it in. Reinstall the tools to then pull the crank forward into the front carrier. Hopefully the crank will still be chilled and the case warm, as the rear bearing needs to come forward with the crank with out lagging, or you'll need to tap the race forward to get the crank to rotate freely. Both of mine came forward properly.

Dave

[Micha]

Thanks.