Babbit to insert mains in 34

34billct

34billct

Senior Member
Is it successfull to convert from babbit to insert main bearing and is it cost effective for a 221 34 block? My engine needs main bearings. What insert bearings do they use? Thanks Bill Muska 203 255 9271 or wmuska@sbcglobal.net
 
I have two articles in my files, one from Rod & Custom (March 2002 "Build a better banger") and another from Street Rodder (November 2007 I think "Building a better banger"). Both talk about modifying bangers for rod and main inserts. They listed Johnson Machine Service in Monrovia, California and H&H Flatheads of La Cresenta, California (818-248-2347 www.flatheads.forever.com) as both doing insert bearing mods. They also do full pressure oiling and other work. Maybe they can handle your V8 block as well. Worth a call! Good luck!
 
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I have read that H&H does the machining necessary to convert a babbitt mains type block to insert mains. When I looked into this several years ago, the cost to do this was about the same as it was to pour and bore babbitt mains, BUT factoring in the cost for me to pay for shipping the block from East Coast to West Coast and back made the decision easy to have the poured babbitt done in a PA shop that's 15-20 miles from my home. Also, shortly after that I found a nice '36 LB block with insert mains. So, when I do another 21 stud engine I will use the LB.
 
34billct said:
Is it successfull to convert from babbit to insert main bearing and is it cost effective for a 221 34 block? My engine needs main bearings. What insert bearings do they use? Thanks Bill Muska 203 255 9271 or wmuska@sbcglobal.net
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:confused: Bill , This is what you're up against . This is a 33-34 block waiting for new babbit . Notice the deep grooves to hold the babbit . I know this has been done but the last I heard it cost $2,400 to do it . That was a 32 block but the bearings are the same . The big problem from what I heard was the deep grooves and all the welding . Never done this and I will continue to go with babbit but you can at least see what these blocks look like without babbit . Personally I'd rather fix the joke of a rear seal on all these older flatheads . :D Good luck David J
 

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David J said:
:confused: Bill , This is what you're up against . This is a 33-34 block waiting for new babbit . Notice the deep grooves to hold the babbit . I know this has been done but the last I heard it cost $2,400 to do it . That was a 32 block but the bearings are the same . The big problem from what I heard was the deep grooves and all the welding . Never done this and I will continue to go with babbit but you can at least see what these blocks look like without babbit . Personally I'd rather fix the joke of a rear seal on all these older flatheads . :D Good luck David J
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HOLY COW!! I just checked H&H's website for their latest cost on poured to insert main conversion for '32-'36 blocks. It is now $3500.00 if I'm reading their price list correctly. WOW, I'm glad I found an LB!!

http://flatheads-forever.com/shop-aamp-services-specialmenu-68.html
 
Jim, I think you are reading the info wrong. That is the cost for a complete rebuild of the engine. I think the bearing conversion is $750.00, including bearings. You will find the detail in another page of their website.
Floyd
 
Floyd said:
Jim, I think you are reading the info wrong. That is the cost for a complete rebuild of the engine. I think the bearing conversion is $750.00, including bearings. You will find the detail in another page of their website.
Floyd
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I just talked to H&H and was quoted $850 for the whole enchilada . They need the block - main caps and the crank as it needs some grinding . The guy that spent $2,400 on this conversion got you know whatted :eek: .
 
David J said:
I just talked to H&H and was quoted $850 for the whole enchilada . They need the block - main caps and the crank as it needs some grinding . The guy that spent $2,400 on this conversion got you know whatted :eek: .
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Thanks for the correction Floyd and David. Now $750-$850 sounds more in line with what I had determined several years ago when I was getting a '35 block done. I just checked my latest quote (12/10/10) from a shop near me who does babbitt pouring for model A and V8 engines and he is getting $800 to pour and line bore the babbitt. I'm wondering if the machining that H&H does to convert an early block to insert type bearings would cause the lower end to be weaker than a block with poured babbitt? Just a thought.
 
Jim, my opinion only, When it comes to automotive machine shop work, stay close to home. You really want to be able to go there and see what gets done and how it is going. If you have babbit services nearby and they have experience with flathead ford V-8's, I would have it done there. Shipping a block across the country turns into big problems when issues arise. I don't want to say any more on this.
Just an opinion
Floyd
 
I just had a 34 babbitted in Ma. I sent him the block all cleaned and bored and the crank cleaned. He wanted to grind the crank himself. $750.00 I cain't think of his name right now, I have it out in the shop. He does alot of them and 4 baggers. He has main caps all babbitted so he just swapes caps, babbit the block and align bore. great work, One gye in Me. here wanted $1200.00 and I had to grind the crank. I had the block back in less than 2 weeks. Walt
 
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