A new one on me

flatjack9

flatjack9

Well-known member
Had a guy bring in an 8BA engine he had bought. Was rebuilt but had been sitting for a while so he wanted me to go through it. When I took the crank out, it was ground 10 under on the mains. But surprise, the bearings were standard. Put the right bearings in and when I started to torque it down the crank locked right up. Turns out #1 main cap had been changed. Luckily I save all the caps from engines I scrap and on the 7th try found one that worked. Hopefully i won't find any more problems.
 
I've always heard that flathead main caps can been changed like that IF you have enough to sort through.
 
I have also done it. In 1959, I blew a center main cap; it must have been defective. I got 6 or 7 from the local jukyard, along with a bunch of plasi-gage from the auto parts store. The first one fit well, so I buttoned it back up (with the original main bearing shell!), and that engine (in a couple of different cars) served me and a couple of other guys well for several years.
 
Yes, done it several times. I have what looks like a good block with out any caps. So one of these days Ill go through my box of caps ( I don't throw any away) and find a set.
 
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