Hi all,
Working on another V4 cologne at the moment; one with a stripped balance shaft gear.. So I'll be replacing the balance shaft bearings. Since the balance shaft needs to be removed from the rear of the engine, this is an engine out job.
I've now pulled the engine plus block. Then I removed gearbox + bellhousing and after that the clutch and flywheel. Don't forget to drain oil from engine+box first.
Also removed the front cover and took the remains of the balance shaft gear off (didn't need a puller). After this you can gently tap out the balance shaft from the front, I've used a soft wooden hammer. There's a really big plug at the rear that looks like a freeze plug, by tapping the shaft from the front this plug will be pushed out without damaging it.
After removal of the balance shaft I found out that the front bearing was completely missing (found it bent up in the sump a bit later) and the rear bearing was partially ripped up but mostly still in place.. Als the front bearingsurface on the balance shaft showed a "lip", seems like it got damaged.
Luckily I have a good 2nd hand balance shaft ready to put in.
Now some questions:
1- How to check best if the engine block got damaged at the front bearing area?
2- I have 1 brand new bearing (has got "Ford - 1 STD" written on it) and 2 used bearings that came with the used balance shaft. What would you do: use the new one at the front/rear or use the 2 used bearings that are run-in by the shaft?
3- How do I put the balance shaft bearings in the block? Do I put them in the freezer and then gently tap them in?
4- Do I aim the little "oil channel" in the bearing to the outsides of the engine?
Thanks!