So I've decided to do away with the babbit in my model A block since I'm going all the way with this thing, but we're having trouble finding someone to do the machine work this. Can anyone point me in the direction of somebody in the northeast who does line boring and this sort of thing? I know alot of guys won't do it unless they are building the entire engine...
I can"t help, but you might try the Fordbarn forum model A section. A lot of motor rebuilders post there. Also the Banger section on HAMB is very helpful. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/motor-banger-thread-links.161498/ John
Ask on the banger thread http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/june-2011-banger-meet-any-questions.595012/ These guys may help you http://www.durableperformance.net/ But don't expect that they will all agree that you should ditch the babbit. Jim Brierley runs babbit in his Bonneville record setting engine been running the SAME babbit for years. You should email him jimb4e4@gmail.com and get a copy of his book " Bangers and me. "
Lot of different opinions on this,I got an education last week while at a show from a gent named Pat Gary,he's built many hotrod A's and B's,he prefers to put an oil pressure system in with the inserts,but he showed me an over head set up that was orginal 1931, this little engine put out something like 100 horses and in 31 they ran babbit not inserts so that tells me that the babbit holds up,but there are hardly any more people left doing proper babbit and it costs the same as putting inserts,he did tell me to use rods from a company in Alabama for inserts,I'm not sure if he will do just the machine work or if he wants to do it all.
I believe Schwalms out here in Strasburg PA does the machining for inserts. Price? I have no clue. They are not known for being the cheapest around.
We had a couple blocks show up for this exact job a few months back. I would ***ume any shop with a boring mill could knock it out in a few hours. All we had was the block, cranks, and the new bearings. Fairly simple operation.
Amen! I'd highly recommend Mr. Brierley for a camshaft as well...I am told his Winfield grinds are an exact copy of the originals. For my build I went with poured bearings & stock oiling system and chose to upgrade to a counterweighted crank, flywheel lightened to 34 lbs, and V8 clutch; I'm told by old-timers these are probably the biggest 'bang for the buck' bottom-end mods for a performance oriented 'banger. Just something to consider... If you decide to go with inserts, check out Antique Engine Rebuilding in Skokie, IL...it's their specialty.
I have an article here from the March 2002 issue of Rod and Custom about putting bearing inserts in four-banger blocks. The article was written about Johnson Machine Service (JMS) in Monrovia, California, and has a series of pictures showing them installing main bearing inserts from an MG midget motor. The article also deals with adapting a late model neoprene rear main seal, installing copper lines for pressure oiling, and adding counterweights to the crankshaft. You can reach JMS at 626-357-2718 or go to www.jmsracing.com
Almost all the A Model suppliers (synders macs berts ect ) carry insert bearing kits they come with machining instructions
Thanks for the info guys. Lots to consider. I'm putting a high comp head on this motor with a cam and bigger intake valves, lightened flywheel, all that jazz so I figured I might as well do the inserts while I'm in there. I wanted to avoid having to crate the block up and shipping it out. Schwalms which is within a driving distance of me wants a small fortune to do it. May just chance it and have the babbitt re-done. I want to get this thing together before the summers end. Times a wasting Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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