Is it POSSIBLE to remove a crank from an engine without tearing the top end apart???

I JUST finished putting my engine back together and the chain on the hoist slipped and dropped my engine about 2ft onto the harmonic balancer...I didnt SEE any noticeable damage until I got everything back together and started the car...The balancer wobbles pretty bad. I can't tell yet if it is the balancer, the hub or the crank so I will be replacing the hub and balancer today to see if that fixes it...if it does then great! If not...I need to replace the crank...HOWEVER seeing as how I JUST got the engine back together after a full rebuild, I REALLY don't want to do it all over again...

SO, with that said, I am curious if it is possible to remove the crank, replace bearings, and install new crank without taking off the heads/intake manifold/cam/etc.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I am fairly new to internals of the block and I am trying to learn.

 

Yes!

Yes with the engine out of the car and on an engine stand it is relatively easy.

 

ALSO...my crank ia a cast crank...What are the chances it is bent? I have been hearing 2 sides to the story...several people say it will not bend it will crack or break...others say it can bend easily...Opinions/experiences??

 

Lastly for now...

IF the crank is NOT broken or bent...IF I put on a new balancer and hub nd the wobble stops...The car was driven for approximately 2 miles, never revved above 2100 rpm's, and parked. Had maybe a total of 15 minutes of TOTAL runtime after install...Since there was so much vibration and inbalance on the crank, would my bearings be ok? Anything else damaged?

 

I bent a cast crank on a Supercharged LT1, so they can be bent without breaking.

I will bet the bearings are fine. BUT if you have to pull the motor and change the crank, replacing bearings is a small investment.

No right or wrong answer just what makes you feel better. Given you inspect the bearings and see no damage obviously (if they spun you have a totally different problem...)

Good luck

 

Dude just throw a new balancer on it and see if it vibrates. If its smooth as silk your crank is probably not bent...

 

The hits just keep slamming you dude. Sorry to hear it.