James Rogers
Well-known member
I wonder if any of you that claim babbitt won't hold up to high compression know what the bearing liner on those inserts is? Babbitt, and it is only a .003 thick layer. Sort of shoots holes in that theory.
Babbitt vs insert bearings
- Thread starter DWMOONEY
- Start date
Kohnke Rebabbitting
Well-known member
It used to be all Babbitt, and now Aluminum is cheaper, and is still a good bearing lining. There are still are some modern inserts that are Babbitt lined.
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Dave in MN
Well-known member
First I need to say: I build engines with insert bearings. I am approaching 150 completed with insert bearings.
Am I biased as to which to go with? No! Both Babbitt and inserts are good if the work is done right.
Cost to do inserts: I charge almost the same as AER for an inserted shortblock, about $2400 with the 1.7" intake valves.
Durability: For those that claim inserted engines don't stand up: The inserted engine in my Phaeton has over 83,000 miles on it and the pan has never been removed. I work this engine hard, often running and keeping up with traffic in the slow lane on the freeway. I am really curious to see what everthing looks like inside but if I open it up...I can't make the claim about never removing the pan.
We are leaving for Loveland this coming Wednesday morning and the only thing I need to do to get ready on an insert bearing engine with 83,000 miles on it is change the oil and the filter.
Good Day!
Am I biased as to which to go with? No! Both Babbitt and inserts are good if the work is done right.
Cost to do inserts: I charge almost the same as AER for an inserted shortblock, about $2400 with the 1.7" intake valves.
Durability: For those that claim inserted engines don't stand up: The inserted engine in my Phaeton has over 83,000 miles on it and the pan has never been removed. I work this engine hard, often running and keeping up with traffic in the slow lane on the freeway. I am really curious to see what everthing looks like inside but if I open it up...I can't make the claim about never removing the pan.
We are leaving for Loveland this coming Wednesday morning and the only thing I need to do to get ready on an insert bearing engine with 83,000 miles on it is change the oil and the filter.
Good Day!
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The first test block of mine that is being built right now will have Babbitt. Since Prus Jr. does Babbitt all the time, I figured it would be sensible to stay in the groove.
BTW, the cam has been fit, and the cylinders are going to be bored for .060 over pistons, since Jr. has all the stuff on hand to do that. I'm getting excited as it gets closer.
Tod
BTW, the cam has been fit, and the cylinders are going to be bored for .060 over pistons, since Jr. has all the stuff on hand to do that. I'm getting excited as it gets closer.
Tod
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Well-known member
From time to time I hear a comment like this, and I like to disprove that myth by asking them if they know the history of a diesel, -and more to the point, by asking the history of the Cummins engine. If my memory is correct, they were building engines before the 20s that were guaranteed to go 100,000 miles.
I don't know your definition of high compression, but I am pretty sure having enough compression to ignite diesel would fall into the area of "high compression". I also believe these engines were deemed 'reliable', and the idea of using 'inserts' was not in this timeline.