Removing center main race pin

**rock** · 07-22-2018, 11:45 AM

Like the title says I need to remove two center main pins in an xr4. Not sure why but someone has changed the pins and they are not correct. Looks to have some sort of sleeve on them and they are mushroomed and shattered under the sleeve. I know they have been changed cuz you can see where they staked them in place. Any help would sure be appreciated.

Rock

**HStream1** · 07-23-2018, 05:04 AM

With a Brass, copper or aluminum rod. gently tap them in 4 directions North, South, East, West. Pins should pull right out with vice grips.

**rock** · 07-23-2018, 07:13 AM

Thanks Bud. I'll try it today.

Rock

**pkstv** · 07-23-2018, 01:27 PM

Use a heat gun as well .and if the pin still won’t come out , if seen them taken out with a sawzall !

**texasvector** · 07-23-2018, 07:45 PM

mine fell out while block was in oven 1 time.....but im sure you dont wanna loosen sleeves

**flabum1017** · 07-23-2018, 09:56 PM

aren't those pins stepped? smaller diameter in the bearing and larger in the block?

Maybe some localized heat around the pin will loosen them up.......

**rock** · 07-25-2018, 07:17 AM

The pins are stepped. I have 4 of them ordered. Bud... I tried tapping them and they are still in there solid. Tried heat with no luck. Thought of the oven but it's hot as hell up here and would really like to not fire up oven nor do I want to loosen sleeves. Sawzall? I could use dynomite also but would really like the block to be useable when done. I have one more shop I need to contact and if his idea don't work I'll just cut em out on a Bridgeport once I have the new pins to measure. Appreciate the suggestions.

Rock

**Onetime** · 07-25-2018, 07:37 AM

The pins a hardened. Had an engine come in that was assembled with center mains not aligned on the pins. When the front half was tightened it pushed the pins in flush to the bearing bore and broke the bearing races.
Removed the pins by grinding them with a hand die grinder and small 1/8” diameter or smaller very good quality carbide burrs. Must be very careful and patient just grinding the pin and pick out the remains once the pin is ground out enough so you don’t mess up the pin bore in the block. Had no luck on the bridge port with the tooling I had on hand. When you put the new pins in use a very high strength 600 series or better loctite to help hold them.
A machine shop with an EDM can also remove them.