Lost bearing?

[crvc]

I'm putting a type 1 motor back together. I was replacing the rod bearings and bolted three rods back into the block. Then while working on the #4 rod I put it in upside down, saw my mistake and while removing it I dropped the short piece of rod inside the crankcase. I fished it out of the cylinder hole but there's no bearing attached. It did have both halves when I was putting it in. I can't see it anywhere while looking through the cylinder hole. Is there a recess that can hold the bearing? I turned the block over and shook it but didn't hear anything rattling around inside the block. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

kevin

[Piledriver]

Still stuck to the crank with assy lube?

[crvc]

I thought of that and no, it wasn't there. Last night I pulled the other rods off and still didn't see anything, then held the block up and shook it, hoping it might fall out or at least rattle around some. No luck. Today I get to clean the mess from all the oil that poured out. I'm still not convinced the bearing didn't fall out when I was removing the #4 rod. If it did I should be able to find it while I'm on my hands and knees scrubbing the garage floor. Then if still no luck I get to split the case this weekend.

kevin

[Jim Ed]

Try fishing it out with a stick magnet.

[Jim Ed]

It's been about 21 years since I've done that but, aren't you supposed to bolt the rods onto the crank before putting it between the case halves?

[Piledriver]

It's been about 21 years since I've done that but, aren't you supposed to bolt the rods onto the crank before putting it between the case halves?

You can, but you can also install them later.
This is handy if you just want to pull the rods and inspect the rod bearings, which are usually a good indicator if the mains are toast.

[Chris V]

Just one of those things, like putting pistons in cylinders before installing the wristpins or after...

[budawe]

I prefer to pre install the rods since the 40hp rod needs to be manually centered and I can feel the drag better with the crank out of the cases.

[crvc]

It seemed I would have to split the case to find the missing rod bearing. I tried a magnet, I tried picking it up, turning it over and shaking it. No noise when shaking it and I wasn't 100% sure the bearing was even in there. I scrubbed the garage floor on my hands and knees, finding nuts and washers but no bearing so I was resigned to splitting the case.

I started by removing the oil pump. Then went to the large plate on the bottom. Unbolted it then pried the mesh screen off. And noticed something shiny on the floor of the crankcase, near the pickup tube. It was the bearing. I coaxed it out, no signs of damage seen, so tomorrow I start putting it back together. CAREFULLY!

kevin