Engine Bearing Plate Removal

[tommyg 154]

The cast aluminum plate that I'm gonna call the engine bearing plate broke where the clutch pressure mechanism (not sure what that's called in reality either) attaches. I'm trying to remove this plate so I can get it welded, but I'm having trouble removing it. I got the clutch off fine. I loosened the 4 mounting bolts and was able to work it about a quarter inch off the shaft. Now it's stuck and I can't coax it any further. I can rotate it a bit on the shaft, but I'm afraid to tap it any harder for fear of breaking it. Tried a puller with light pressure but no luck. Anyone know how to get this thing off?

[tommyg 154]

This view show a sleeve of some sort on the end of the shaft that I suspect is not original. Seems to be welded on to the shaft or something and I think this is what is keeping me from removing the plate. By the way, I'm working with a d180 and a Kohler K482S engine.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

It's just hung up on the bearing. The bearing either has to slide off the crankshaft or out of the closure plate.

You can try warming the plate up with a heat gun. It may expand enough to allow it to slide off.

What you think is a sleeve looks like the shoulder of the crankshaft. It's larger where the bearing and seal ride. As long as nothing is bigger than the section where the lip seal is, there shouldn't be a problem.

[tommyg 154]

I was able to put a puller on it and crank it down a bit, but I didn't want to break the casting or I'd really be up the proverbial creek. I can't even put it back on at this point because the gasket is damaged. I've got oil coming out all over the place. Looking at the black ring that goes around the crank, is that the bearing seal? I can rotate the bearing plate around the crankshaft, and rock it back and forth slightly. But it's not budging on the shaft at all. An exploded view of this thing would be helpful, but I haven't found anything yet.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

Yes - the black ring is the lip of the oil seal.

Here's a link for the manual: http://www.asberry.net/files/ENS-607.pdf

I'm sending you a PM. :handgestures-thumbup:

[Trouty56 567]

Better check out 10.2 of this manual...looks like the crankshaft is pressed into the bearing plate. When I had my 482 apart the plate stayed on the crank.

[tommyg 154]

That's what we discovered. Any suggestions at this point? I've got no gasket. I was thinking of working some hi temp gasket sealer in there and putting it back.

[Trouty56 567]

Well.....pull the flywheel and other side off....then take the crank and bearing plate to get welded....re gasket the whole thing. It ain't running now. I guess you could pull the crank without taking the heads off and pistons out...not sure if the connecting rods will be in the way if you slide the pistons out the whole way. There should have been a few gaskets under the bearing plate of various thicknesses. In the gasket kit there are a bunch of bearing plate gaskets to obtain the correct clearance. Try to match what you took out with what you put in. Of course I may be full of it too.

Edited December 2, 2012 by Trouty56

[tommyg 154]

There's a bearing plate on ebay now that I'm double checking to see if it's the same one. I'm considering getting that one and taking the whole dang engine to a guy that rebuilt my last wheelhorse kohler. I don't have the luxury of not worrying if I screw it up. There's too much at stake for me. All I want is to get the thing back running again so I can hook up my new snowblower and wait for the snow. Keeping my fingers crossed that the part is right and this guy still does that kind of work.

[tommyg 154]

Back in business. Found a bearing plate on ebay for $27.50. Took the tractor to a guy who rebuilt my last Kohler and for $71, he got the old one off and the new one in place. I cleaned up the bearing plate before I took it over and got it painted. The engine did not have to be pulled at all. Found out that behind the seal was a cir-clip around the crank. That's what was keeping it from sliding off. I would have had to destroy the seal in order to see it. Lesson learned, I guess. Even still, I think I got off easy. He had the seal and gaskets in stock and I had my tractor back in my garage in less than 24 hours. Looking forward to getting the clutch back together and mounting my blower.