Unique bearing install

Canuk40

Canuk40

Junior Member
My ‘47 59AB is out for a rebuild and I received some photos of the bottom end. My engine builder has never seen this type of bearing use.

Looks like main bearings used as rod bearings. Ha anyone seen this type of install before?
 

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I would definitely look for a builder familiar with flatheads. There is a lot of useful information on setting up these bearings in Ron(AKA Ol Ron on the Barn) Holleran’s book Nostalgia.
 
Your bearing install is not unique your engine builder is. That's flathead basics 101. Did he ask why you didn't bring the valve covers in too? I agree with the others. If he don't know this I doubt he has the flathead pilot to grind the valve seats.
 
Last edited:
Canuk40 said:
My ‘47 59AB is out for a rebuild and I received some photos of the bottom end. My engine builder has never seen this type of bearing use.

Looks like main bearings used as rod bearings. Ha anyone seen this type of install before?
Click to expand...


Have you spoken to anyone in Parry Sound


R
 
I wouldn't want to disrespect the engine guy without knowing more, but this means he has no internet access, no books about Ford flatheads, and hasn't ever seen a pre 48 one. Or maybe it was just a momentary lapse.
 
Please do not trust any machine shop , or mechanic that isn't well versed in common flathead parts .
I just enlarged the photo . I'd be more interested in the rod being peened over . It looks like it could of only happened at disassembly .
 
These bearings must be fit to the crank and rods. You just can't take them out of the box and install them. I have a chapter in my book on this.
 
Hopefully you get the right information and the right builder to handle full-floating bearings. As Ron noted - it is imperative that they are correctly sized to float when they are replaced. Another alternative (depending on the crankshaft size) and if it has dual oil holes in the rod journals - is to switch to later 49-53 rods with tanged insert bearings (like modern engines).

While you may get through this issue, one has to wonder how much he knows about doing a flathead valve job correctly? Does he have the correct pilots to pickup the valve guide bore (not just a OHV pilot thrown into a loose-fitting flathead guide). Does he understand that valve angles and associated valve-to-deck dimensions are different side to side, etc.

Does he know how to correctly balance flathead rods? You don't just grind on the bottoms of the caps like they do with modern rods with 'balance pads' on them.

If he does not know these sorts of things and doesn't have the correct tools - you'd better find another builder or you stand to have issues (not guaranteed, but surely likely). I'm not trying to pick on your builder - but in the end, you probably don't want to be his "first" flathead build. :)
 
Mmm I lost a crank from a shop that didnt know what they were doing. They were given instructions but they didnt understand [ said they'd done them before ...??] the floating bearings were stamped 30 / 10 . they just cut .040 off the crank..aghh..
 
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