Contact info for Bill Barlow

1crosscut

1crosscut

Well-known member
A fellow club member may be needing his services. He tried the number listed in the sticky at the top of the forum and apparently it is no longer in service. He will be sending and email to the address listed. Anyone have a better number for him?
 
The last email address I have for him is:babarlow@bendcable.com. Sorry don't have a phone number. Hope this helps.
 
I, too, have reached him at that number and email recently.
He rebabb'd two engs for me in May. Phenom quality and service as usual.
Hope he's apprenticed someone.
Had not heard he stopped cap service. That would be a shock.
 
jfreddie said:
I, too, have reached him at that number and email recently.
He rebabb'd two engs for me in May. Phenom quality and service as usual.
Hope he's apprenticed someone.
Had not heard he stopped cap service. That would be a shock.
Click to expand...

Well guess you will be shocked! here is his reply to my email:
From: Bill Barlow [mailto:babarlow@bendcable.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 5, 2016 6:28 PM
To: Charles McDonald
Subject: Re: Model A Main Bearing Caps

No I was the only one brave enough to try it. I did around 100 with 90% success. The other 10% knew it was a gamble from the start.

It did get a Model A and the owners back to Florence Kentucky from the Arctic Circle a few years ago. They were using a Quart of oil every 40 miles by the time they got to my shop and after replacing the rear main cap they made it the remaining 2,500 mile with no oil loss or knocking.

Bill
 
Slotblog said:
Pretty clear Bill Barlow is a hero to more people than me!
Click to expand...

Yes, Bill is one of the best. His grandson had been learning and helping him, but I don't know if that is still the case. I feel fortunate to have one of his engines in my peekup.
 
Thanks gents. I will pass along the phone number. Hopefully he can help out or give him some advice on what direction to go.
 
He doesn't say he's not doing caps, does he?
I met the fellow from Kentucky when he came through Anchorage.
That experience with Bill got us started using his service here in Alaska.
There've been at least five 'saves' with his caps without a failure.
 
jfreddie said:
He doesn't say he's not doing caps, does he?
I met the fellow from Kentucky when he came through Anchorage.
That experience with Bill got us started using his service here in Alaska.
There've been at least five 'saves' with his caps without a failure.
Click to expand...

His reply to my question was "No I was the only one brave enough to try it."
I called Bill yesterday and it is true he will no longer be doing caps. Sorry for the bad news but please do not shoot the messenger! :eek:
 
I had a chance to talk with Bill at the Bend Oregon Meet to thank him for the excellent job on the four rear main bearings and two center bearings he did for me, for a couple of my engines, and for a couple of friends.
During our conversation, he eluded to the fact, that he was having problems obtaining very accurate measurements from his customers, which made it very difficult.
Bill's work is impeccable for accuracy.
 
A real shame that Bill is not providing this service anymore. I am in denial hoping it is not true.

Bill has saved many of us from having to do complete babbit jobs and fixed many leaking rear mains. I think Bill just viewed this as doing a favor to the model A community which it definitely was. He did amazing work, was a pleasure to deal with and is definitely on the top of my list of Model A heroes.

If Bill hasn't set up a person to take over for him, I wonder it if would make sense for one of the vendors (Berts or Brattons) to offer this service?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top