Case dowel pins - big deal?

[shtig]

I'm replacing crank seals and might have forgotten to put one of the dowel pins between the case halves before assembling the rest of the motor. (not the ones in the crank, those are in place)

The motor is now completely assembled, do I tear it down again? Is it a big deal to run without one of the pins?

thanks

 

[Citizen]

I would tear it down and put the dowel back in personally, doesnt take long and could save you a poopload of time and money in the future.

 

[shtig]

I called a well known engine builder who told me not to worry too much about it. According to him, the main reason for them being there is that case halves are matched as a pair and halves from different motors can thereby not be used.

 

[Nuklear6]

It's quite important to have both case dowels in place. Just flip the motor over with the stator, starter, and flywheel cover off. pop the lower case half off and put the dowel in. If case sealant is fresh you should be able to just do a light coat of fresh sealant and bolt it back together.

Chuck Palmucci
CPT Enterprise PLC
609 510 3062

 

[JetManiac]

I called a well known engine builder who told me not to worry too much about it. According to him, the main reason for them being there is that case halves are matched as a pair and halves from different motors can thereby not be used.

This is nonsense imo. You can switch out case bottoms and pins will still line up.
Pins should be installed.

 

[pigpen]

This is nonsense imo. You can switch out case bottoms and pins will still line up.
Pins should be installed.

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Finished up everything and let the 1211 setup for about a day and then went to go move the motor and found a dowel laying underneath it. I know one for sure was still in it but the second one must have fell out when I flipped the case to put it on. Really don't wanna tear back down but sounds like I need to now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DAG]

This is nonsense imo. You can switch out case bottoms and pins will still line up.
Pins should be installed.

Next time are are at a machine shop bring them mismatched cases dowled together and have them run a indicator across the split

 

[JetManiac]

Next time are are at a machine shop bring them mismatched cases dowled together and have them run a indicator across the split

My point is that is not why the dowel pins are there. They are used on flywheel cover, cylinder base, pump sections, etc. and these other parts are not matched parts. They are alignment pins.