How do I check end play?

[Stray Catalyst]

I did a search and didn't find an answer I understood. I'm trying to find the end play in an engine I just bought - the engine is in unknown condition. The flywheel is off - in fact, I received the flywheel and the engine from entirely different sources, so they're used and not a mated set.

So, how can I check end play? I looked through the Muir book - I don't have the Bentley manual.

Stray

[Glenn]

You can't with the flywheel off.

You need to remove the flywheel seal and all the shims. Then install the flywheel and measure the distance from maximum inward and outward of the flywheel. Then add a combination of 3 shims that gives you .003-.007" endplay. If you can't get it that low then you have a worn engine.
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[Stray Catalyst]

I haven't installed a flywheel to test it, but I found out I can move the crankshaft in and out of the engine about 1/8" by hand, with little resistance - all the case studs are tightened, one head is removed. Am I missing something, or is this case toast?

Stray

[fastinradford]

worn bearings and/or case, only a tear down will tell all.

EDIT:

YOU CAN
ONLY
CHECK
ENDPLAY
WITH A
FLYWHEEL
INSTALLED
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[Paul Windisch]

The crankshaft endplay is set with the flywheel and those shims. The crank will flop all over until you get them put on.
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[Stray Catalyst]

Thank you - I'm delighted to be wrong.

Stray

[andrewsanteiro]

I just bought a baja with a bus 1600 in there and it has no end play. HOWEVER. the shady f*** I bought it from would be capable of pulling any sort of maneuvers. Could someone put excessive shims to 'hide' end play? If so is this something that could cause a problem that I should check if the engine is already on the floor?

_________________
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[Chris Vellat]

^ It would be 'normal' for someone to think they're fixing the endplay by just adding more shims 'til the crank didn't clunk.

You should pull the flywheel off and see if the bearing is moving in the case...if it is, there's a move you can do to buy some time without tearing it all down...but if the bearing seems to be tight you can adjust the endplay to factory specs, maybe a little loser if you're suspect.

Make sure to use the correct endplay shims when setting endplay, early shims will physically fit on a late crank, but they hula-hoop around cutting right into the crank.

[buckwheet]

[Chris Vellat]

[BGEE68]

The Factory spec is 0.07 to 0.13mm (.0027 to .0051), the wear limit is 0.15mm (.0059).

Buy and use this tool to set up the end play:

We were taught to set end play to the mid point of the specs:

0.10mm (.0039)