D850 Steel balls on/near the crankpins???

[Kenbo]

Hi folks,

First-time poster, long-time lurker. I'm disassembling a D850 engine with a bent connecting rod. After disassembly, I looked at the exploded parts diagram on Messick's (B1550E used the D850 engine) to get part numbers for what I needed, and I noticed this part #110 in the diagram: #07715-00401 BALL, PISTON CRANKPIN. I was conscientious when taking the crank assembly apart, and I didn't see any steel balls, nor did any fall onto my workbench.

What gives? Does anyone know where these balls go and what their purpose is? I have never seen steel balls used in any other engine I have worked on. Does anyone have any experience with these 70 Series engines and can enlighten me? Thanks in advance.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

curious was I

I 'think' it goes between the bearins ( #210) and the crank ? Hopefully someone can explain what it's for !

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Your first problem is you added the word steel!

They are aluminum / alloy balls and they are plugs for the cross drills on the crank to the rod journals.
And they are not removed!

 

[Kenbo]

Your first problem is you added the word steel!
They are aluminum / alloy balls and they are plugs for the cross drills on the crank to the rod journals.

View attachment 150965

Thank you! Very helpful.
I see those plugs on my crankshaft. I assumed they were steel based on the pic on the Messick's website.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thank you! Very helpful.
I see those plugs on my crankshaft. I assumed they were steel based on the pic on the Messick's website.

The replacements might just be soft steel.
So my apologies, I just looked at a D850 Crank I had here.

 

[Kenbo]

The replacements might just be soft steel.
So my apologies, I just looked at a D850 Crank I had here.

No apologies are necessary. Looking at my crank those plugs are dull metal so they don't look like steel. Again thank you otherwise I would be on my hands and knees crawling around my shop looking for those balls I obviously must have dropped lol.