[Jim Williams]

Neven,

You say your backlash was in spec. I guess you are saying that it was within installation spec range. That was fortunate, I think if mine had been within the installation spec, I probably would not have raised the question in my intial post, which was: what are the implications of the backlash being outside the installed spec range of values?

I do plan to use new bearings. I don't think I have ever considered opening up a case for a rebuild without replacing all the bearings. The intermediate shaft bearings are showing copper, so they will come out for sure. The crank bearings look perfect, but I will be replacing these as well as a matter of course.

But to fast forward to installing the new bearings (they are on the way but not here yet), let's suppose that when the bearings are replaced, the backlash doesn't change significantly enough to get it withing the installation limits (which I'm guessing it won't).

It seems like there should be a wear limit on the backlash. I don't think that's what the numbers in the spec book represent. If my intermediate gear itself checks within the wear limit, and I replace the intermediate shaft bearings, I can't see what else to do. I don't expect that the steel crank gear is worn. But there are no specs on this gear that I'm aware of, so there's apparently no way to check it.

If the new bearings bring the measurement in specs, concern goes away. But if not, do I just assume at that point that there will be no engine problems because of this out of spec condition? Again, this is the first time I have dwelled on this issue in several engine rebuilds, but now that I have a question, I am looking for answers.