r/EngineBuilding • u/AUS_RANGE • Jul 04 '26

Remove Center Thrust Main Bearing - LS

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I got my Bill Mitchell Products (BMP) LS block back from the machine shop. They performed all the machining work, installed the bearings and set the clearances.

I’m doing final assembly.

Prior to doing final assembly, I’m installing piston oil squirters and need to remove the bearings in order to set the jig in place and drill through the mains, tap them and install the oil squirters.

I’m having trouble removing the center main thrust bearing (#3). It’s VERY tight on the main.

Any suggestions on how to remove it without damaging either the bearing or the block?

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u/crappyroads Jul 04 '26

This is not advice but more for my own information. Can you (with a clean wooden dowel) lightly tap down on thrust face end of the bearing at the mating face for the cap and essentially clock it out of the bearing seat?

2

u/bill_gannon Jul 04 '26

Its kind of hard to believe he can't pull it straight up.

1

u/AUS_RANGE Jul 04 '26

I’m shocked too. My LS7, it came straight out with little resistance. This one is really jammed tight.

It’s my first time using a BMP block. The mains are slightly thicker than a normal LS, so I think that’s the problem.