Here is a question for Dan? If the engine was stressed member for the sled would there be more stress influenced on the bearings/crank and case if mounted on the outer edges rather than a old fashioned cradle support? Could this cause case flexing to move the bearings inward/outward? Does the 850 have enough webbing built into the case to prevent this in your opinion? I was just comparing to the old fashioned way of mounting an engine to the new way even if it is a casted bulkhead it is mounted into. I would assume minimal flex, just not weight savings only? Thanks Mike
Good question Mike.
Polaris has battled PTO bearing weirdness since 1997 / 1998 when they stopped using a lock ring on the PTO SIDE outer bearings.
They have resorted to Loctite for the last several years ( on all PTO side inference fit bearings. ) and still some of them come lose and side around wearing out the PTO shaft...... Loctite on a inner race is one thing.
On a outer race is a completely different thing..... Not really a great idea.
I believe the mounting of the motor is no problem at all.
Many others have done it for years.
The difference on the 850 motors PTO bearing...... Is that it has no ( inner bearing race ) .... And the rollers run on the crankshaft itself.
And the outside diameter has no lock ring or pin like ALL Cats & Ski Doo's do.
We have been machining lock ring grooves in Polaris crankcases for almost 20 years.
Dan