Crankcase Assembly Tool

[Flat_Black_Rat]

Is the crankcase assembly tool really needed to reassemble these motors after splitting the cases or does it just make life easier. I have a 1979 CR250 the I bought in pieces that I need to get back together and a 1972 CR400 that I will have to open up at some point to replace a broken connecting rod. I figure this would be the best place to find out, or hear any tricks around using (and buying) one. I don't mind spending the $145.00 for one if I need it, but would rather put it off if I can. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[ruwfo]

you'll need a hydraulic press to press the bearings on to the crankshaft,
and i sure helps when you go to get 2 halfs back together as the bearing are also pressed into each case too.

Husky John

 

[patgas]

no need

you dont need it mate just to re assemble crank cases, i heated cases in oven to remove bearings and to put bearings back in,then i put crank in freezer over night asembled cases pressed together with g clamp very slowly then used case bolts small even turns being carefull not to damage threads worked a treat.

 

[ruwfo]

i just did my 430 motor, put bearings in freezer, heated the cases with
Map gas, & i still needed to use a Hand operated press. Be careful
case break easily & case screws are easily to strip on a 25+ year old
motor.

 

[crankpin]

Crankcase assembly tool #1

 

[Flat_Black_Rat]

Thanks for the help, my bearings are sitting in the freezer so they will be ready when I have time. Hopefully with the long weekend coming up I will have the time to get this done and get my build threads moved over here too.

 

[hvaloz2]

Thanks for the help, my bearings are sitting in the freezer so they will be ready when I have time. Hopefully with the long weekend coming up I will have the time to get this done and get my build threads moved over here too.

i have seen many cases with damage caused by not using the tools...its not a maico!!! but if you are careful and crafty and patient it can be done by the freezer / oven trick .... pulling the cases apart is the easy bit...... putting them back together... mmmm????

 

[Flat_Black_Rat]

i have seen many cases with damage caused by not using the tools...its not a maico!!! but if you are careful and crafty and patient it can be done by the freezer / oven trick .... pulling the cases apart is the easy bit...... putting them back together... mmmm????

After talking to a few more people I changed my mind and will wait until I have the proper tool. Thanks for the concern, this weekend will just be spent working on suspension and body stuff.

 

[fran...k.]

I might add a bit about what I have done though the engines I have done are a little newer the ones you have at this time.

The idea is to get the crank in with no stresses axially or right to left. I have never had an official tool but have a bunch of home made stuff and some purchased devices as well. If I recall what I do is get the crank pulled in tight on the drive side and if there is anything not tight it is on the ignition side. I have a device which I made out of aluminum which has slots for the part of the nut that goes on the drive side crank end and it attaches to a threaded rod. The engines I have done the transmission shafts/bearings don't seem to be the high friction or significant interference fit. The first one I did I made a big gauge so I could measure the length of the crankshaft with the gauge and a feeler gauge set before and after installation. I don't think I ever used that again.

Using heat helps. If in the winter and you have a wood stove and a large metal platter that makes things come apart and go together easier. I also have used an air acetylene plumbers type torch and an electric heat gun.

Fran

 

[husqyhamm]

Ive found cases and crankpins differ in tolerance remarkably. Like my 83TX I can tap together carefully with a 3lb deadshot hammer. Not so on the 84TE where it required long bolts thru engine mountings to squeeze together with long engine bolts purchased for the job. Same story for 83 500 2T that went together real easy and 81 420CR that was quite tight. In all cases I do the freezer oven bit. Carefull with freezing, can cause moisture to set on bigend during assembly and it will surface rust pin and needles and go to heck soon after running it hard. Grease it properly before crank assembly.

 

[rj302]

Hey FBR,
Where are you going to get the tool from and what is it called?
Ray

 

[tommie d]

That guy on ebay that sells the reproduction one, His does NOT come with the spacers that came with the originals. I think there were three different Crankcase Assembly Tool's over the years, I have the first two with the propper spacers, still looking for the last one that works with the 80's engines.

 

[1Tuff500XC]

Great thread, and helpful info.

 

[Flat_Black_Rat]

Hey FBR,
Where are you going to get the tool from and what is it called?
Ray

I am planning on ordering this:

http://www.eurojamb.com/husqvarna-crankcase-assembly-tool-as-nos-250-400-430-500-ahrma-p-614.html

Its the only one I can find, Husky Parts down in AZ used to have one listed if I remember correctly, but it is no longer listed on their site.

 

[Picklito]

I had a machinist friend build a crank installer for me. It is simple and works perfectly, and places the loads in the proper places so the case, crank, and bearings are not stressed. No press needed. He is willing to build more. Price, of course, would be dependent on how many he makes, but my guess is in the $50-70 range. If there's interest I'll get it going.

 

[1Tuff500XC]

I've barely skimmed the importance of this, over improvising techniques, but I like having the propper tools for important stuff like this, and I am planning on staying a Husky owner. Even though this is my first one. So yeah, I could see being interested.

I just remember skimming quickly something in one of the bulletins I think it was. Thought there was a case splitter, and then I'm assuming this crank installer.

Just need to bring myself more up to speed and summarize what I need. Have two bottom ends, and one forsure needs to come appart, and possibly both.

 

[White Husky]

If there's interest I'll get it going.

I've been looking for a reasonably priced set of case splitting and reassembly tools for a while. Could your friend do both? I'd be interested either way.

 

[Flat_Black_Rat]

Picklito,
I would totally be interested if your friend was to make a run of the tools. I have been busy and still haven't started in on the motor i need to get back together,or the other two that needed to be torn down.

 

[77250CR-Owner]

Picklito,

If you can get your friend to make them I would be interested in getting both splitting and reassembly tools also.

 

[NYWR430]

I recently made a crankshaft installation tool for my 1988 WR430 engine. It uses threaded rod, and two custom made spacers to adapt the crank threads to the threaded rod. Works great. I will post pictures of it later. The hardest part was obtaining the left hand M12x1.0 tap needed to make the spacer for the rotor side of the crankshaft. The primary side was much easier to find and is a right hand thread M14x1.0 tap in case anybody needs those thread numbers.