Crank inserts

[Marki]

Hi guys.
I recently brought a project '98 EC250 to work on over the winter. The barrel had already been removed allowing a view into the crankcases. Can anyone tell be what these things are in the side of the crank? I can't find them on any parts list.


The main reason for asking is that the one on the lefthand side is very loose, to the point of coming out! They appear to be made of some sort of plastic or nylon.


Thanks.

[hannesd]

i'm guessing it has to do with balance... or maybe another thought that just comes to my mind is not to disturb airflow to much...

[Marki]

I thought balance at first but they 'feel' light. There is also a slightly smaller hole between them and the conrod that doesn't have a plug of any type in it. I guessing that I'm going to have to split the cases to fix the left hand one.

I just thought that they would have been on a parts fiche if they were important.

[Rick]

Hmm, looks like crank stuffers, plastic, small hex bolts hold them in. I did not think they were used on a 250....only the 200?
I may be all wet here, as I have not seen a 250 topend tore down...only my 200.

Maybe someone else like Cruiser will jump in, as he has an older 250 as well.

[Marki]

Looks like your not far off at all Rick. I found them on the 1998 TXT parts list. They are called Crankshaft stoppers and there are four in total. It looks like they do nothing other than fill some holes! I can't find any reference to the small hex bolt that holds them in place?

[desertgasser300]

My 97' ec250 has the same thing in the crank. I was wondering what they were also. I thought they were made of cork, at least that is what they looked like to me. Mine didnt have any small bolts holding them in place.

If you need a gasket set, Steve Beane from afterhourscycle.com has been great help at getting me the gaskets for my 97"

[Leo]

This inserts is used to increase the primary engine compression.

Does not know if it is OEM or made by someone.

But they suposed to be mounted thight with an shop press.

You can remove it whithout any big change in the engine behavior.

[PEB]

If you have the cash i'd split the cases. It looks like there is lots of crap in there already. There may be a little screw that was supposed to hold that stuffer in place laying under the crank. I seem to remember some posts on the old Smackover site about them falling in the cases and wreaking havoc.

[Rick]

I had a crank stuffer hex head bolt back out several years back. Locked up the rod tigher than a frog's a$$.
I agree with PEB......

The picture of the ones in the 250 crank do look at little different than the 200's.....I assume they perform the same function......

The link shows the breakdown of the 200cc crankshaft, item #4
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....pe=13&A=4&B=22

[desertgasser300]

OK, my cases are still apart. They come out very easy and....they are made of cork. There are no set screws holding them in. I'm not sure if they did come out while the motor was running that they would do any damage at all as they are very soft.