Hot/Cold Method Really Works!

Pilotdave

Well-known member
This morning I installed a new bearing race in one of the front hubs for our Tudor. Having seen many suggestions on here similar in nature, I set the hub in front of an electric heater and put the race in the freezer. After 15 minutes or so, I set the now-cold race into the very warm hub. The race promptly seated itself with a very satisfying "thunk". After the temperatures of the parts equalized, the race was solidly in place.

Thanks for all those tips - wanted to share how easily this worked.
 
Another trick: When installing a press fit bearing onto a shaft, use an old popcorn popper, or an old Fry- Baby, etc. Heat some gear oil in it, drop the bearing in it for a minute, and voille,' the bearing will just fall on!:D DON'T DO THIS IN THE KITCHEN AND DON'T FRY YOUR FISH IN THE GEAR OIL!!:eek: Bill W's Ghost
 
I remember years ago a mechanic was installing a new starter ring on a flywheel. He put the new ring in the oven and the flywheel in the freezer. It practically fell in place!

Shadetree
 
In my grandfather's garage, we have been replacing sleeves like that for longer than I have been born. There is an old soft drink cooler from the fifties that we place the sleeves into to chill them. You can just take them out of the box and drop them in the block.
 
For bearings IF you can find an old original 100 or 150 watt light bulb, the bearing can be heated by setting it on top of bulb for 8 minutes or so.
 
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