Soft Tear Down Crank Journal Inspection

[scyc]

I'm replacing my reeds soon and I thought I might be able to pop off my rod caps to inspect the bearings and possible journal wear without tearing the block in half...does this sound smart?
I had a low speed miss for sometime and the thought of there not being sufficient lubrication going on worries me.
Am I being OCD or should I just leave it alone?
I don't hear any noticeable knock, and I'm not sure If i should feel play in the flywheel rotation, if any?
This is a '00 150 2.5 carbed merc FYI.
Its got a ton of hours being used as a commercial motor, and I plan on spending a few bucks on it to keep it running, but I'd like to make sure it's got some potential left it in before I begin fixing it up.

Is there an alternative to checking bearing/journal wear?
This is my least knowledgeable subject on motors.

Thanks!

[Spectre Powerboats]

You can change the bearings out through the front half. Difficult, but not impossible. In my opinion you are more likely to do damage to the journal doing it this way to. If you are going to take them out, you might as well replace them.

[patchesII]

I've never been able to get the bearings through the front half. Maybe somebody knows a different way than I do. Also breaking rods apart and putting them back together inside the front half isn't something I would recommend. It can be tricky to make sure the rod and cap line back up before re torquing them. I'd leave it alone till you got ready to break it all down and rebuild

[rock]

My thoughts exactly.

Rock

[outasite]

I would agree with all the above,I would not try it, unless you are knowledgeable in getting the two cracked halves to line up,witch can be difficult even without the front half being on.Can it be done,yes but i don't think in your case the risk is worth the reward.

[LongShot]

Seen it done before. Mostly at a race site where complete tear down was not an option. First time I ever met Jon Wright he was sticking two more bullets in a nitrous motor. He was grinning the whole time. We talked about it later and he indicated that it was a desperate move. I agree.

[H2OPERF]

Agree 100% with what was said above not even close to being worth the risk unless your at a race and gotta run. Your not going to be able to feel anything by turning it but as long as you have the reed plate off give it a good look for any rust signs on the crank cheeks which may mean water had been in there and at that point you may want to dig further.Dave

[patchesII]

Seen it done before. Mostly at a race site where complete tear down was not an option. First time I ever met Jon Wright he was sticking two more bullets in a nitrous motor. He was grinning the whole time. We talked about it later and he indicated that it was a desperate move. I agree.

We've all been there haven't we?

[TEXAS20225]

i agree with all the bs connected to pulling bearings with front still on i too have done it:nonod: it is a pain in the kester with only 10 nuts and a few wire and fuel connections it is easier to pull the mota split it take a real look at everything this way you'll have your answer and while its down rebuild it top to bottom just my .02 , ive learned that the short cuts always take twice as long and cost three times as much

[Spectre Powerboats]

Seen it done before. Mostly at a race site where complete tear down was not an option. First time I ever met Jon Wright he was sticking two more bullets in a nitrous motor. He was grinning the whole time. We talked about it later and he indicated that it was a desperate move. I agree.

Good memories for me. Jon Wright and Earl Moorman were helping me do it in 2 motors I grenaded at the Dayton Hydro Bowl in 1994. I was popping motors ever pass in Doo Dad 2. There was 3 of us there, Jon and Earl with Red Baron, Jay Fisher in Miss Lori's Ghost and me with the old Doo Dad 2 but I renamed it Total Chaos.

[LongShot]

Jon Wright was possibly the most patient, cordial, down to earth man I have ever met. Not just in racing...in life. I wish I had made a point to converse with him more often than I did. Sure do miss him.