questions on adjusting for babbit bearings

4tford

4tford

Well-known member
I am doing a checkout on this home done rebuilt 1919 T engine I picked up. I would like to know what clearances are recommended on the rod and main bearings. Also is there a recommended torque for the rod nuts and mains. The first rod, in my mind, was not much more than snug on the nuts. In addition is there a correct direction for the rods to the crank or is either direction fine? I have a Ford T service manual on disc but I can not seem to find this info there. Thanks Bill
 
I found rod torque to be #35 and clearance to be .0015 to .002
still need main bearing torque and rod direction if there is any. I have heard mains everything from 45# wet to 70# dry.
 
Your model T engine was built without using torque specs. Small bolts were snugged up tight and large bolts snugged up and a bit more.
 
That model T headbolt/sparkplug/lugnut wrench is that long for a reason. 35-40 pounds on a foot long wrench gives you: (check one)
0 20lbs
0 30lbs
0 40lbs
0 50lbs
tighten within reason, then a tad more to the next cotter pin hole. Always a drop of oil on each... dry torqueing is a whole different science. 50-60 on the mains should be good. Once the cap is seated, its not gonna get any smaller, youre only stretching the bolt(s) AND they are pinned. ws
 
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Thanks for the comments guys. As I go through this engine it looks like the previous owner had the right idea on the rebuild but did not get into the details and more than likely it would have run OK. I have all the pistons and rods out. Piston direction is wrong and will have to be switched on the rods. The worst crank journal is a little less than .0015 out of round. The babbits generally look in good shape. I will have to play around with the shims and do a little scraping as there are a couple of shiny spots. The shims are not consistent. One has 3 shims on each bolt some have 2 on one bolt and one on the other and so on. Also there was no assembly lube that I could see. Should not be difficult to get between .001 and .002 clearance. Piston bores should clean up with a little work with a scouring pad and oil. Rings and pistons are new and will clean up nicely. Valve seats are new as well. Should have this done in a couple of days and then will attempt the transmission. Bill
 
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