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Reusing Rod journal bearings

P

PhilSch

Regular Contributor
I'm beginning to assemble a 1988 Johnson 110 hp motor. When I disassembled it I marked orientations of rods, rod caps, pistons etc. I think I might have blew it on the crank rod journal bearings. I numbered and bagged them but I did not note their orientation. Do I need to get new ones or can they still be used?
 
faztbullet said:
Discard and get the caged ones for rod & wrist pin..better for motor.
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Pappy,

Thank you for your suggestions and I would love to put in all new bearings and even new rods but unfortunately my financial situation begs for reducing costs wherever possible. I do not expect to put more than 50 hours a year on this motor so if I do not need to wring out maximum hours out of the rebuild.

So the question is if I install the original big end rod bearings which look to be in very good condition and are mated with the original rod and crank journal but the individual bearing halves would likely be in a different orientation would I expect either a catastrophic failure or significantly shortened rod and or crank journal life? The bearings have no parting line, do not look like they were split when manufactured nor have any evidence of mating marks that I can see.

I already installed new wrist pin bearings but do not plan on installing new crank bearings as all the rollers look great. Crank journals measure well within spec.

Thanks for your guidance!!
 
faztbullet said:
You will be fine as long as rollers match rod.....I have to warranty my rebuilds so I use new parts..
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Cool. I have a friend who is a tool and die maker, excellent engine Builder and former national champion boat racer. He raced Mercury Motors so he's not familiar with the OMC stuff but I described rod bearing cages to him and he was in concurrence. Thank you so much Pappy I really appreciate you lending your expertise.
 
Just make sure you use a drop of oil on rod bolts, assemble and hand tighten to snug, assure casting breaks are aligned, tighten in 3 steps ...10-20-30
 
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