29a rods again

[4tford]

I am going through the 29a rods I have and see some sets have a tang and some do not. Why is this??? Thanks Bill

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

You are perhaps Canadian??
Some Ford England and Ford Canada WWII motors had locked inserts, which carried into some postwar production. They were made with normal rod bore diameter and were fully usable with floater bearings, probably for interchangeability as US and Canadian and British engines crossed over in the supply lines. Ford USA engines picked up a detail or two quite possibly meant to make them fully compatible with Canadian applications, too.

 

[4tford]

Thanks Bruce,

 

[4tford]

Bruce, Yes a Canadian. I spend a lot of time at estate sales, auctions etc. I cleaned a couple of sets of the 29a's without the tang and then ran across a bunch with. I did not expect them to be both ways. I am going to be getting a pile of various rods reconditioned and am trying to figure out how many sets of what. Thanks Bill

 

[Ol' Ron]

I think the bore is different for floaters and lock ins. When having the rods reconditioned , DO NOT remove the wrist pin bushing unless it is bad. These bushings require special equipment to replace, and most of the time are OK.
I mentioned flanged rod bearings, these are used in 32-38 221 ci engines. However, the flanges can be cut off and used in the 21A rod. Did this many times

 

[52merc]

the canadian locked brgs were really think & very very hard to find

 

[JWL]

As far as I know, the only company who made the special, thick, lock-in bearings was McQuay-Norris.

 

[chuck stevens]

Ron,
I have a set of rod bearings with the flanges, and always wondered if you could use them by cutting off the flange. It must be kind of touchy. what did you use to cut them? I have a big belt sander with a table to keep things square, love to hear your thoughts. Happy Thanksgiving, Chuck.

 

[Ol' Ron]

I made a fixture that fits in my lathe and drives through one of tje oil holes. Then a piece of tape and a hose clamp holds everything together. I make them about .010
narrower than the stock bearing. With all floating bearings, check to make sure theu don't rub on the filit radius of the crank. Good oil flow through the bearing keeps it cool.

 

[chuck stevens]

Thanks Ron, I may have to hire you to turn these down. How did you and your grandson make out on his flathead? Chuck.

 

[Ol' Ron]

Well, he went off to collage and I have a few other projects that need help. e's back on thanksgiving vacation, so now he['ll learn to do a proper valve job. When he comes back for Christmas, he'll put it together. I got the new pistons, nice light weight Egge 3 ring.