Question For The Engine Experts

[Joe AZ]

I pulled my '40 engine out to freshen it up. I'm seeing something I've not seen before, regarding the rear main bearing. The upper half of the bearing (inserted into block) has a groove machined perpenticular to the main oiling groove, extending towards the back of the black. There is a very small hole, which apparently was included to allow oil into this groove.
Anyone ever seen anything like this before, and what would be the purpose?
Joe

 

[Kurt in NJ]

After the third time heavy foot Al burned up the clutch they made him a special clutch with shimmed springs, after the third time he burned up the thrust they made sure it got enough oil

 

[Joe AZ]

After the third time heavy foot Al burned up the clutch they made him a special clutch with shimmed springs, after the third time he burned up the thrust they made sure it got enough oil

Really.......I thought maybe it was put there to direct oil to the rear seal, to ensure that it would leak.
Joe

 

[Gary Duff]

Joe
That main bearing was made by Ford for heavy clutch use in busses etc.
It provided additional lube oil to the rear thrust face. The part number
was 81B-6331-whatever undersize letter. The ones I have seen from
Ford had a hand scraped area were yours had the groove cut. Also no
lube notchs cut in the thrust faces. Hope this helps.
Gary

 

[Joe AZ]

Thanks Gary.....I guess that makes sense. I'd just never seen anything like it before, and wasn't sure if it was a factory bearing or something someone fabricated for some reason.
Joe

Joe
That main bearing was made by Ford for heavy clutch use in busses etc.
It provided additional lube oil to the rear thrust face. The part number
was 81B-6331-whatever undersize letter. The ones I have seen from
Ford had a hand scraped area were yours had the groove cut. Also no
lube notchs cut in the thrust faces. Hope this helps.
Gary