A bearing cover assembly can be assembled to a bearing housing in which a rolling element bearing is accommodated. The bearing housing assembly includes an annular adapter and an end cap that can be mated together. The annular adapter can have a tapered inner annular surface and can be inserted into the housing bore of the bearing housing. The end cap can have a corresponding outer tapered surface. When the end cap is inserted into the adapter hole defined by the annular adapter, the sliding contact between the tapered inner annular surface and the outer surface radially expands the annular adapter inside the housing bore creating a positive engagement retaining the bearing cover assembly to the bearing housing.