Rear main bearing cap

Synchro909

Synchro909

Well-known member
I am not sure I am on the right forum here but I recall a while ago, someone posted about a guy he had found who had replaced the Babbit in the rear main bearing cap - only the cap. I have an engine that is in V good condition other than the Babbit is galled due to lack of oil. How it came to be like that is a long story but it involves the car being parked facing down hill with the engine running.
Does anyone remember such a post? Better still, know who this guy was. I'd like to have mine done.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
 
Interesting. So the block would still have old Babbitt and the main cap new Babbitt? How would one get it "machined" so there was proper oil clearance? Scraping or filing?
 
You would probably do better finding someone in Australia to do the pouring and machining but here is one place to try: https://darkon22.ipower.com/. You need to know the diameter of your journal, which you probably know or know how to measure. That place is close to where I live so I would be willing to be the intermediary.

You must have parked on quite a slope.
 
Synchro,
Years ago a friend of mine had a demo at his house where he poured some Model T rod bearings. It did not seem that hard. The link at Post #4 shows the technique for pouring and machining a rear bearing cap. If you are unable to reach Gene French, you may be able to find someone locally who has the tools and can follow instructions. I know you Australians are pretty resourceful.
 
Dave Mossman ("Mossie") and I visited Gene about 9 years ago and he gave us a tour of his workshop. He sold us a set of babbit moulds and a line boring rig that he manufactured for sale, along with other Model A stuff. Attached is a video I made while there in Colorado. http://https://youtu.be/RU2ZeU9x0ek?si=7VO8FR4w54O0ofaA
He is a very talented and congenial tool maker and our visit to his home workshop will always remain a highlight of our Model A hobby.
The line boring tooling remains still packaged up in my workshop. The moulds, gauges etc still in my tool caddie, all unused.
We moved to insert bearings and, of course Terry Burtz's engines, which came soon after our visit to Gene French.
Dave has assembled about 18 Burtz engines in one of my workshops now. I still have 2 to assemble for my cars. But arthritis and heart attacks intervened and I am struggling to get a bit younger and more mobile before I attempt them! I have not given up.
Mossie, every passing week offers to assemble them for me, but I cannot "let the old man in" yet, to quote Clint Eastwood.
SAJ in NZ
 
I've had it done a few times. Its a little touchy as you aren't boring the caps on your block.
Its a hit and miss kind of thing. It may involve some bearing scraping and time saver to get it right.
The guy I had pour them has retired and getting someone else to do it might be tough.
Most places won't do it as they don't want to hear about it if it doesn't work.
 
Dodge said:
I've had it done a few times. Its a little touchy as you aren't boring the caps on your block.
Its a hit and miss kind of thing. It may involve some bearing scraping and time saver to get it right.
The guy I had pour them has retired and getting someone else to do it might be tough.
Most places won't do it as they don't want to hear about it if it doesn't work.
Click to expand...

I understand everything you say but I think it is worth a try before I go boring the block for inserts. Thanks for your input.
 
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