Southern Ca banger machine shop?

[Gene F]

"Then factor in tooling costs & supplies whose prices have escalated over 50% in the past 3 years, plus the costs of utilities, insurance, and employee labor, -and I think you quickly find the day of the $3,500 engine rebuild are behind us." - ain't that the truth!

My last Model-A engine (before Burtz was ready for release) cost me a bundle.

[ModelA29]

Originally Posted by Rusty30roadster

.... cannot do Model B engines, only As, so I’m searching again…

... I’m doing everything possible to keep it because it is in excellent condition (minus the rabbit bearings) but the cost to fix it may be close to a V8 build….

I would not go babit bearings. Go inserts that way in the future if it needs another overhaul you won't have to find someone with the tooling and skills to do it. Imagine the trouble finding a decent engine guy in another 5-10 years.

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by Rusty30roadster

Hi, I’m back to the drawing board. The shop I was going to use cannot do Model B engines, only As, so I’m searching again…

My list
- BMS doesn’t do main bearings
- Johnson’s auto - left 2 VMs, no call back yet
- HH - 2VMs, no call back yet
- Turlock machine - spoke with Joe and I don’t think I can afford his work .
- I will continue to network through the Model A clubs locally.

My dilemma::
I have 7 Flathead blocks at the machine shop now, if one comes back good, I’m tempted to build one for my roadster but really don’t want to scrap the Model B. I love my Banger and I’m doing everything possible to keep it because it is in excellent condition (minus the rabbit bearings) but the cost to fix it may be close to a V8 build….


Thanks for your help!!! Keep sending ideas, J

I'll try to go by tomorrow and see if I can speak with him

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ModelA29

I would not go babit bearings. Go inserts that way in the future if it needs another overhaul you won't have to find someone with the tooling and skills to do it. Imagine the trouble finding a decent engine guy in another 5-10 years.

If only this were the truth. The issue is that when an insert bearing gets some wear, they usually rattle just a bit before the bearing shell 'galls' from the crankshaft pounding on it and it rolls the bearing within the bore. Because the Model-A/B caps are so flimsy, all of them I have had come thru the shop have had the cap become distorted as the two bearings were stacked onto each other. The only way to fix this is to replace the distorted cap(s), and grind the remaining caps so all three caps can be line-bored simultaneously. Also, when a insert bearing has rolled, it almost always scores the crankshaft journal pin requiring it to be re-ground also. From my experience, to repair all of this damage is WAY more costly than to repair a failed cast bearing.

[51504bat]

Stopped by Johnson's today. He doesn't do main inserts. He suggested Antique Engine Bearing Service in Escondido. Not sure if there are still in business or if they do main inserts but they might. If not they might know someone who does.
(760) 749-9663