Hi everyone...I purchased a '38 flathead to put into my 29 roadster. It's clean, spins free, I took one head off and the valves and pistons looked good. Now, my question is...when did they start putting insert bearings in the mains and rods? I've never had one apart and was just kinda curious in case I have to get into the bottom end. I appreciate any info you can give me here. Thanks in advance.
Flathead bearing question
- Thread starter Poprodder
- Start date
Bassman/NZ
Well-known member
You're good with inserts. 38s are good engines.
Thanks guys. It seems as though the more I read, the more different opinions I got. Someone said 38-42 had floating bearings, one said 39-48...
Now I don't feel so scared about having to do the bottom end if need be. Monetarily anyway. I was quoted abut $200.00 per bearing for my banger motor to do the babbits. man, that's just scary! 3 mains, 4 rods....ouch.
Now I don't feel so scared about having to do the bottom end if need be. Monetarily anyway. I was quoted abut $200.00 per bearing for my banger motor to do the babbits. man, that's just scary! 3 mains, 4 rods....ouch.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
Floater bearings spin freely in both the con rod big end and on the crank journal. They are excelent at distributing the loads. Some of the early flanged ones are harder to get now but they are all out there. Canadian manufactured engines started using insert shells before the USA production but not by much time wise.
Walt Dupont--Me.
Well-known member
32-38 rod bearings have a flange on each side, the crank is 2in. 39-42 rod bearings without flange also 2in. journal. 46-48 crank went to 2.1385 also had full floating bearings. 49-53 went to the locking lip bearing like the moden engine rod journals are still 2.1385 Walt
