Johnson RDE-18 center crankshaft bearing

[olcah]

Today I put the crankcase halves back together on my RDE-18, 1956 30 HP Johnson. After all was together and tight I noticed a piece of wire on the floor. Recognized it as the springy wire that holds the center bearing halves loosely together. Checked a photo I took when I first got the new crankshaft attached to the connecting rods.

From the photo it looks like that wire is missing from the center bearing. It was loose and I must have knocked it off. 😳 In an effort to avoid taking the crankcase apart I am thinking that once the bearing is in place maybe that wire is unnecessary?
I would sure like advice from someone with experience.
Thank you.

[frankr]

Yeah, the wire is to hold the bearing together till you get the crank in place. After that, it does nothing. Kind of interesting how you got it in place without it falling apart. The picture sort of looks to me like the wire is there (?)

[olcah]

Frank,
Thank you very much. You saved me a lot of time/prep. There was no problem with the bearing coming apart when the crankcase went together.
so as you say the wire could be there. Took an RD parts motor with bad crankshaft and rusty bearings apart awhile ago. Maybe that’s the wire I found.
Again thank you.
Charlie

[chris-p]

If the halves went together fine don’t worry about it now. The spring clip only holds it together until installed like FR stated.

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