Rotary valve bearing question

[MAL]

I have a 717 and I am installing a new seal on the rotary valve shaft. my question is about the large bearing on the starboard side of the engine. It has a plastic cage that looks somewhat like a dustcover on one side. does it matter which side the cage is on or is the bearing reversable. I was going to install it like it was, but then I looked at the other 3 rotary shafts that I have and of the 4 shafts, 2 are one way and 2 are the other way...the manual doesn't mention the orientation of that bearing, so it may be reversable, but I wanted to ask first before making a big mistake.

 

[MAL]

Is there a way to test the friction on the crankshaft before installing cylinders and pistons?

 

[mikidymac]

Not really, it should turn freely by hand with no rough for tight spots.

 

[MAL]

It does turn smooth and quiet but it just seem a little stiff. It only has the crank shaft in it. no rotary shaft, no PTO or flywheel. When I put my fingers in the wrist pin holes and crank it over, it likes to stop at top dead center. if I put the PTO on it helps carry the momentum and get it going. I took it back apart and I don't see anything. I tried using an old style torque wrench(not the clicking type) to see if it would register any resistance, but there was no reading. It is a used crank with new outer seals with a little marine grease on them. I hope I am just being paranoid.

 

[mikidymac]

You can’t assemble the crankcase without the rotary shaft installed.

Used cranks are a crap shoot so inspect it good and roll the dice.

Assemble the cases using ThreeBond 1184, Hondabond, MotoSeal, Yamabond and follow the service manual for torque specs and thread lock.

 

[MAL]

I pulled the R/V shaft after I noticed the the possible issue. I used Hondabond. I did notice the Manual says that the case must be split to install the RV shaft. I have seen YouTubers install the RV shaft without splitting the case. What is the potential problem doing it with out splitting the case?

 

[mikidymac]

Damage to the gear and crank.