V6 Flywheel Spigot Bearing

[John042]

Good Morning All. In my rebuild of my 2.8i I thought I'd replace the Rollar Spigot Bearing. No particular reason other than whilst in pieces, seemed a good idea. Don't laugh, but tried the good old method of bush removal grease in the hole and a close fitting bolt to push the bearing out; well it worked on u-tube After a face full of grease realised it doesn't work with a rollar bearing Guess the only way will be to destroy the bearing to remove it or obtain a puller. Burton's list 3 sizes Diameter is not a problem,ie(19mm or 21mm)However they list to lengths (12.7 or 15mm)Anyone know the size please? Have to admit the bearing does feel OK Leave it alone? What about replacing the core plugs? Decisions, decisions I'm going mad in what do I replace whilst the engine is in pieces.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate..Like the old saying.."If its not broke then don't fix it"....I would replace core plugs as they are relatively easy and most of the gaskets, Bar the head ones unless they need doing..If you replace the inlet manifold one then be sure to put some extra silicone on the cork part that is at the distributor end as this can be a regular leak point.

Always use good quality gaskets...

If the engine is in bits then maybe the cam gear as these are nylon and can disintegrate although after talking with the guy i used to use was told that he has never heard of one doing so in 30 years..The steel ones are a bit noisy....Also if you can fit a higher pressure oil pump as the original ones are pants...Cheers..Ziga

[Wedg1e]

The grease trick does work on roller bearings as long as you make the plug a nice tight fit, get as much grease in as possible and whack the plug hard.
Failing that you could try collapsing the outer shell with a drift but you have to be bloody careful not to damage the crank.

[John042]

Thanks Ziga. Quite right, leave well alone. I have sets of of top and bottom gaskets which came with the purchase, providing they're all there! My shopping list is getting longer; bigend bolts, water pump, cam followers (New Camshaft)etc. Fortunately I have a new steel timing gear as well as the original fibre one. However examining the cylinder head hex bolts I've found two which have raised "Dimples" on the bolt heads?? Do these fit in a certain position? Thanks for any help. Cheers John C.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi John...I think the "Dimples" could be all whats left of some thread that the bolts sometimes have on them for bolting heat shields to.. ..Someone probably had them lying about and used them in place of the original ones...The bolts are all the same size so i can't see what effect a "Dimple" would have?....Ziga

[John042]

Thanks Ziga. It did puzzle me in that another set of head bolts did have two with similar "dipples" on the heads. Brought me back to my aircraft engineering days when bolts had indentifying marks on the heads which denoted material etc. I've found one item which I won't have to purchase, a high pressure oil pump, but will buy a new drive shaft. Thanks John C.

[phillpot]

Spigot bearing removal tool, otherwise known as a Rawlbolt, threaded rod and assorted bits from the"scrap box"

Never had any joy with the old grease trick either, this is a lot less messy!

That's the old bearing still on the end of the Rawlbolt.

[John042]

Thanks phillpot. This forum is great. I'm sure I've got the necessary "Special Tools" in amongst my boxes of bits. Cheers J C.

[John042]

Thanks also rck974x. I don't think mine is faulty, just a precaution whilst every thing is in bits. So will make sure it's lubricated on assembly. Cheers J C

[John042]

Thanks again rck974x, sound advice reference core plugs. Block has been chemically cleaned so is completely stripped. Although the core plugs on the outside look new, I'm not going to risk it so will replace all of them. I've just measured the first motion shaft on the gearbox, the part that runs in the spigot bearing and it's 15mm. The car was manufacture in Apr 1984, and thought it might be fitted with a 4 speed box? So the fact that the shaft measures 15mm, does that confirm that I have a 5 speed gearbox? Thanks J C.

[John042]

Don't you just love TVR's Nothing surprises me any more. My Chimaera was made by "Robert" according to the name behind the boot panel, he must have been colour blind judging from the wiring! The gearbox is still fitted but will certainly take your advice RCK974X and visit the Vixen site to aid identification. Another day at work! Still gives the opportunity to clean off some more components from my recent purchase. Cheers all. J C