Which end?

[LadyInBed]

My old cutlass bearing has a shell size of 1 3/4" D x 5" Long.
The replacement (standard size) is 120mm Long which is about 1/4" (7mm) too short.

Which end should I leave the space?

With the 'end cap' off the bearing protrudes by 1"

 

[fireball]

I would say support it at the outboard end - so leave the space on the inner bit as that is already supported by the engine - mind you 7mm ain't gonna make huge amounts of difference.... and by the look of the corosion on with the end cap removed you could probably loose the 7mm there (unless the end cap stops the bearing moving aft!)

 

[AndrewB]

You don't say but I assume this is a sailing yacht installation with a relatively slow revving engine. In which case the important thing is the that the cutlass bearing is positioned so that it is most securely held, either by clamp or screw (looks like you have both).

I faced the same problem as you last year and ended up with a slipping bearing, being about 500 miles from the nearest travelhoist had to refit it underwater!

 

[LadyInBed]

"You don't say" yes, yacht (see Avatar)
Yes, large grub screw and held in by end cap.
I was also wondering if I should put in a 'spacer ring' (cut from old bearing), but again which end?
If I put it at the engine end, then I effectively 'burn my boats' as it would be hellish difficult to get it out again.
Of course, another option is to split the space half forward and half aft!

Fireball - not corrosion, just not clean /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif