Darn Needle Bearing Lost???

[edge]

Doing a top end kit on a 720 and after got piston off the one side I for the life of me cannot find the last needle bearing. I've looked everywhere. I tried a small magnet to make sure it had not fallen into the bottom end, but never saw it. I really am not sure if it even fell down inside. If it had fallen down into the bottom end...really how far can it go??? Any other ideas how to make sure it hadn't?

 

[El Toro 33809]

Those loose needle bearings can be a pain. The area in the crank is very limited and tight. Sounds like it didn't end up there, but you never know. Is the engine still in the hull? It may be better to be safe than sorry and split the cases.

 

[edge]

I found the darn thing thing, but Thanks!!! Had bounced onto the floor.

 

[mikidymac]

I had the same fear on one of my skis so I found a deep socket the same size as the piston pin and cut it so I would have two pieces the length of the needle bearings. I then used that cut piece along with another socket to push the piston pin out and when the cut piece is at the correct spot you can lift the piston off and the cut socket will stay in the connecting rod and hold the loose bearing pins in place. I then used two zip ties to hold the thrust washers on the sides and that along with the cut socket will hold the loose pins until you are ready for reassembly or removal.