Major Engine Blunder!!!!!!!!

[Tinkerman]

Well I did it made a major blunder reassembling the engine! I used a TR 4 front plate on the engine instead of a TR3 front plate. Not much difference until you try to put it on the frame aaaarrrrgghhhhhhhhhhh.

So I have to take the front plate off. Not to bad a deal but my question is this, can I get the front cam bearing out without disturbing the cam? I really don't want to take the head off if I can get by without doing it, but to get the front plate off I must take the front cam bearing off.

Any thoughts, other than the idea that I shouldn't be let loose with tools, heh, would be greatly appreciated.

Tinkerman

 

[TR4nut]

Do you have pushrods and all installed? I think if you took the pressure off the rods and the valve train you'll be able to get the front bearing and plate off without doing any damage. No personal experience but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once.

Randy

 

[PeterK]

Hmmm. The TR3 front plate is rounded at the motor mounts and the TR4-4A plate is square. A lesson you'll not forget. Or is it the other way around ...

I would pull the rocker assy just in case and remove the front cam bearing and then the plate. Think you'll be alright. But first mark the position of the cam to crank exactly when you remove the timing gear. Don't let the cam or crank rotate. Or go through cam timing all over again (hope NOT.) You'll need another gasket for the plate too.

Take your time, think out each step.

Boy what a pain!!

 

[TR4nut]

Thought about it a little more, and you could check the feel of the front bearing first - if it pulls off easily it should go back on the same way and you don't even need to get into the rockers. Worth a try maybe.

Randy

 

[martx-5]

No need to pull the head. Do as TR4nut has said. See if the cam bearing slides out. It should, especially if you have the engine at TDC on the first cylinder. If it's tight, pull the rocker assembly.

Edit: It's not a major engine blunder. That would be forgetting to put the oil pump in and starting the motor. This is only a minor setback...lord knows, I've had many of them.

 

[Stig]

Piece of cake! I recently built an engine for a TR4 then changed my mind and put it in the TR3. Quick swap.

 

[Stig]

Same motor...Ready for the 3.

 

[Tinkerman]

Yep, the cam bearing slid right off, did not have to get into the rocker assembly.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Gotta love the forum!!!!!!!

Tinkerman