How to take bearing out of plenum

[d.o.h.c]

I want to get my plenum powdercoated but I can not seem to get the bearings out of them. I am talking about the bearings that the shaft for the throttle plate go through.

[SappySE107]

Good luck. I tried and never got one out.

[3100 MPFI]

I would just tape it up.

[IsaacHayes]

Plasma cutter?

[sspeedstreet]

I don't think it would be wise to tape them off. They have neoprene seals on them that wouldn't like the heat.

Here's what I did.

You can see three spots on each side that have been swaged against the bearing to retain them. You will need to carefully grind them away with a Dremmel or similar tool. Once they're flush with the bearing bore, the fun begins. I used a round shaft slot screwdriver diagonal through the intake opening (round to minimize damage to the edge of the intake) and started womping on it. Alternate impact from one side of the bearing to the other to "walk" it out. Once you have one out the other is a piece of cake, as you now have a straight shot at it through the other opening.

The bearings will not be reusable when you get them out. I had to buy ten of each when I did mine, so I have them for $8.00 for the pair, plus shipping.

[IsaacHayes]

Wow nice plenum!!

[z34phoenix]

yeah beautiful

[sspeedstreet]

Thanks! Going into a Fiero, obviously. We look at a different side of the motor than you W body guys. The finish is "wrinkle". We'll see if I can keep it clean.

[dohcfiend]

i love it.

innovative, creative and done well. very nice.

[GPXSS]

im pretty sure i left them in when i PC'd mine.

Nice plenum. Is that a decal or did you raise the aluminum somehow?

[sspeedstreet]

I'm pretty sure I left them in when I PC'd mine.

I guess it would be worth a try. You could always replace the bearings afterward if they're damaged. Mine didn't move smoothly, so I wanted to replace them anyway.

Nice plenum. Is that a decal or did you raise the aluminum somehow?

I got a piece of 4.00" diameter 0.250 wall thickness aluminum pipe and sawed out the logo. I'm a bench jeweler, so it was just a "jewelry" project for me. I attached and filleted it to the plenum with a low temp aluminum brazing rod. I was happy with how it came out.

[IsaacHayes]

Ah like that durafix/weld stuff? Cool. Very creative! I do like that finish. I'm not big for super shiny high gloss on intake manifolds.

[sspeedstreet]

Can't remember the exact name of the product, something like that.

[d.o.h.c]

OK I will just tape them off. My whole engine bay is black gloss, so thats what its going to be. I will shoot some pics up.

[d.o.h.c]

So they do come out? When I tryed I used a dremel and It looked like they were part of the plenum. I tryed everything and nothing worked. How much you charge to take them out for me and supply the other ones.