IMS Bearing Bolt Predicament

[Homeboy981]

I am IMS STUCK! After removing the IMS bearing in one piece. I am not sure what do about this….

My engine is locked at TDC (at BOTH ends of crankshaft and camshafts). Chain tensioners are OUT. I removed the IMS bearing - NO PROBLEM!!

However, my IMS bolts are lining up in the crankshaft HOLES…NOT on the steel part of the crank flange. It is supposed to be a friction fit on the crank flange and MUST NOT be tightened down into the holes. HOW DO I SOLVE THIS? Will is re-seat itself when I re-install the Chain Tensioners?

I have the chain tensioners out at the moment….I am hesitant to turn the crank WITHOUT CHAIN TENSION.

So, the question is - and I have researched my tail off but cannot find an answer:

HOW do I make sure the Crankshaft holes are NOT UNDER the IMS BOLTS? How do I move them to safe ground?

[thom4782]

I'm no expert on this. And I haven't installed an IMSB myself. I will offer one thought and others will weigh in I'm sure on the technical details.

I can't believe that properly torqued IMSB flange bolts would extend through the engine case so as to interfere with the crankshaft. If such interference were possible, then it would be a terrible design. I can fully understand, however, your concern. The consequences of installing the IMSB wrong are bad.

Hope this helps. Let's see what the true experts have to say.

BTW: here is the latest set of installation instructions: http://www.lnengineering.com/imsretrofit.pdf

[Jager]

Originally Posted by Homeboy981

I am IMS STUCK! After removing the IMS bearing in one piece. I am not sure what do about this….

My engine is locked at TDC (at BOTH ends of crankshaft and camshafts). Chain tensioners are OUT. I removed the IMS bearing - NO PROBLEM!!

However, my IMS bolts are lining up in the crankshaft HOLES…NOT on the steel part of the crank flange. It is supposed to be a friction fit on the crank flange and MUST NOT be tightened down into the holes. HOW DO I SOLVE THIS? Will is re-seat itself when I re-install the Chain Tensioners?

I have the chain tensioners out at the moment….I am hesitant to turn the crank WITHOUT CHAIN TENSION.

So, the question is - and I have researched my tail off but cannot find an answer:

HOW do I make sure the Crankshaft holes are NOT UNDER the IMS BOLTS? How do I move them to safe ground?

Did you lock your crank at TDC?





Are you trying to stabilize the IMS gear with set screws? This is not required as long as you are locked at TDC. But if you are using set screws to help stabilize the IMS do not over-tighten.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Homeboy981

I am IMS STUCK! After removing the IMS bearing in one piece. I am not sure what do about this….

My engine is locked at TDC (at BOTH ends of crankshaft and camshafts). Chain tensioners are OUT. I removed the IMS bearing - NO PROBLEM!!

However, my IMS bolts are lining up in the crankshaft HOLES…NOT on the steel part of the crank flange. It is supposed to be a friction fit on the crank flange and MUST NOT be tightened down into the holes. HOW DO I SOLVE THIS? Will is re-seat itself when I re-install the Chain Tensioners?

I have the chain tensioners out at the moment….I am hesitant to turn the crank WITHOUT CHAIN TENSION.

So, the question is - and I have researched my tail off but cannot find an answer:

HOW do I make sure the Crankshaft holes are NOT UNDER the IMS BOLTS? How do I move them to safe ground?

I have to ask, are you using the LN method to install the IMS, or the one Wayne espouses on Pelican with the bolts pushing on the IMS gear?

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by Jager

Did you lock your crank at TDC?

Yes. It is at TDC, locked and double-checked. Chain tensioners are OUT.

I AM following LNE's instructions (since I am using their ceramic bearing IMS), not using Pelican's instructions. Not trying to stabilize.

I understood that, when the IMS flange is tightened down AFTER installing the bearing they are a "friction fit" against the crankshaft flange. These are the actual LNE Bearing flange nuts here, of which there are 3. Well, 2 of the 3 are lined up with the crankshaft 'cutout' holes.

I seem to remember seeing them being tightened AGAINST THE CRANK FLANGE using 7.5 Ft.Lbs. of torque.

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

I have to ask, are you using the LN method to install the IMS, or the one Wayne espouses on Pelican with the bolts pushing on the IMS gear?

Yes. Those bolts are pushing on the (IMS gear - you mean crankshaft flange)….they ARE NOT in THE HOLES - which is where mine are now.

I am using the LNE method. I am stuck on Item# 17.

The 3 nuts (that are 'micro coated') secure on to the solid part of the Crankshaft or AGAINST IT, don't they?

Hence, the need for such a low torque amount, it is supposed to be a 'friction fit' against the crank, isn't it?

I will grab a pic, maybe that will explain the dilemma.

Thanks.

[JFP in PA]

Now you have me completely confused; #17 in the most current LN instructions (January 2013) talks about putting the bearing and tool in the freezer before using them.

I think a picture is going to be very helpful as we have an obvious contradiction in terminology..................

[Jager]

Are you talking about the IMS gear that you can see in this picture just inside the opening? The bolts should not come in contact with this gear.

[Meir]

Mark. you are mixing the two procedures.
no need for any bolts in the LN method.
you are ready to insert the bearing.
follow the instruction on the paper you got with the bearing, TO THE WORD!
the 3 25 mm bolts i sent you with the kit, are used to drive the cover into place once the bearing is installed.

[thom4782]

Following up on what Meir said, once you have used the three 25 mm bolts to seat the flange, you take them out and put the micro-encapsulated ones in their place and torque them to the proper value. See line 21 in the Jan 2013 instructions referred to in my earlier note.

[Homeboy981]

Got it! Thanks guys!

Was thinking the IMS Bearing cover bolts (3) ACTUALLY made contact with the crank.

It'll teach me to not question the instructions….just did not want to make an $8k mistake!

Great! This job will be done then! Whew!

[Jake Raby]

Unless your bolts are 3X too long they won't contact the IMS drive sprocket.