How To Install Crank Bearings on a Predator 212

Rather than bust out the big hammer and steal some pipe fittings, this is the easy and correct way to install main bearings in most small engines. Use this method for any Predator 212, big block Predator, as well as any other small engine that you may encounter.
If you need performance parts for your Predator 212cc engine, check out www.ombwarehouse.com

[@jaystrappa]

Just got a new Tilly block and the oven trick worked beautifully. Made sure bearing was squared up and she dropped right in! Thanks Mr. Goat!

[@adamperkins301]

You da man Eric thanks!

[@flinchbacher]

Very good Eric - I'm going to use this idea real soon, thanks

[@ihasarms0474]

Thank you, very helpful

[@fatbuddycat]

Great job Goats!!

[@Leveluplivin]

Thanks!!!!!

[@---bj8ty]

I did this and it worked, i dropped it right in, however now when riding it is leaking tons of oil through the crankshaft bearing, why is that?

[@John--cu2yu]

Check your crank seal for splits or folds

[@quickfc7]

What about crank shiming? Is that something that needs to be done?

[@TheGrayGoatGarage]

Yes, that is always a good idea but has nothing to do with installing the bearings. The crank endplay is set when the crank is in and the side cover is going on. I use shims to keep the end play at around .008:". Anywhere from .005" to .010" is fine. We have shims here www.ombwarehouse.com/6057s-gx200-clone-crank-shim-kit/

[@timbaxter6040]

Same procedure for the case/block bearing?

[@TheGrayGoatGarage]

Yes! Heat it up and freeze the bearing and it will drop in!

[@jncmotorsports7437]

Same process for the engine block side?

[@TheGrayGoatGarage]

Yes. You can do it the same on the flywheel side…or put the block in the oven with some cookies!

[@john52chesser40]

Do you install the seal from the outside?

[@TheGrayGoatGarage]

Yes. Seal is installed from the outside. Don’t push it in too far! Get it flush with the block or sidecover

[@john52chesser40]

@@TheGrayGoatGarage thank you that’s where I messed up then, pushed it in almost touching bearing ! Will swap it out in a little with a fresh one👍🏼

[@timbaxter6040]

How do get the seals out?

[@TheGrayGoatGarage]

I use a pick and pull them out.

[@JNC1973]

I just gotta say Eric I tried putting my brand new side cover in the Oven for 15 - 17 Minutes at 375 Degrees and I had the New Bearings sitting in the Freezer the whole time as well and when time was up I tried dropping the Bearings in and it Did Not Work !! I set the temp to 375 instead of 350 like you said just to make sure it was definitely hot enough to just drop in. The Bearing only went in like 1/2 Half way and lopsided too. I tried tapping them down with a Hammer thinking well maybe they just need a little nudge but they still wouldn't go down. Now they're stuck half way in on a slight angle and I'm not sure how to proceed to get them out.

[@TheGrayGoatGarage]

Heat the side cover back up and get the bearing out and repeat the process. If the bearing does not dro back in tap it with a hammer on the outer edge. It must go in straight! If one side of the bearing is higher, tap that side. It does not take much force if the sidecover is hot Did you bake me some cookies too?

[@JNC1973]

​@@TheGrayGoatGarage I'm not even worried about the bearings anymore i got much bigger problems going on at this point. I'm currently trying to figure out why my side cover gaskets keep blowing out after only 10 - 15 minutes of riding. I am going through brand new gaskets like hot cakes and i don't understand why it keeps happening being i have the engine vented with a catch can running from 1 of the 2 vents on the billet valve cover. Seems like it doesn't take much at all to blow the side cover gaskets out. 🤔