The Ford Barn

ifightfire · 01-16-2014, 10:30 AM

ive dissembled my Model A engine. sad to fine it in worse shape than i thought i would fine. here are a few pics of the rear bearing area. whats your opinion on what is my best repair options now?

V4F · 01-16-2014, 10:33 AM

it appears as tho the Babbitt is coming apart . how many miles ? if the rear is like that , what does the center look like ? I think rebuilding is next ........

Tom Wesenberg · 01-16-2014, 12:20 PM

What was the reason for taking the engine apart?

Was it just to check things out, or was there a specific problem?

ifightfire · 01-16-2014, 12:38 PM

just checking things out i have never had the engine running. i was hoping to dissemble and clean and reassemble but now im not sure what to do.

Dave in MN · 01-16-2014, 02:39 PM

I see you still have some shims in the rear bearing. IMO: If you are just going to drive it a few times each summer, you could probably put it back together adjusting the clearances as you do and it would likely last a couple to many years if you keep the RPM's down. I suggest you study the rest of the components to see if they are worthy of reassembly or need attention. (As commented above...what condition is the center main in?)

Good Day!

Mark in MT · 01-16-2014, 02:41 PM

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The first consideration is if the crankshaft is usable in its present condition. If the journals are not all smooth and perfectly round, then it needs to be reground. The cost of getting a crank ground is a lot less than a new babbitt job, and a bad crank will soon destroy the best babbitt there is.

Patrick L. · 01-16-2014, 02:45 PM

Maybe I'm missing something, but, I'm with Dave.

ifightfire · 01-16-2014, 03:11 PM

ok im feeling a little better now. i was thinking i was headed for $$$$ with no other options. the center main bearings are much better than the rear bearing.yes i will only be driving limited amouts

Tom Wesenberg · 01-16-2014, 03:53 PM

I also agree with Dave. Chances are the babbit in my temporary Phaeton engine looks worse than your's, and I'm still driving it.

James Rogers · 01-16-2014, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in MT

The first consideration is if the crankshaft is usable in its present condition. If the journals are not all smooth and perfectly round, then it needs to be reground. The cost of getting a crank ground is a lot less than a new babbitt job, and a bad crank will soon destroy the best babbitt there is.

And if you have the crank reground, you will for sure need to have the babbitt redone!

bdave_mcc · 01-16-2014, 09:26 PM

Im not an expert by any means. I had a similar thread a few weeks ago. The babbit on the rear main was cracked like yours except it was on the cap...and it was missing the oil drain tube, so i had a severe oil leak AND damaged babbit....scared the crap out of me. I took the advice of James and adjusted the clearance on the mains using the foil method and put it back together. So far so good, and no oil leak.

30ccpickup · 01-17-2014, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdave_mcc

Im not an expert by any means. I had a similar thread a few weeks ago. The babbit on the rear main was cracked like yours except it was on the cap...and it was missing the oil drain tube, so i had a severe oil leak AND damaged babbit....scared the crap out of me. I took the advice of James and adjusted the clearance on the mains using the foil method and put it back together. So far so good, and no oil leak.

Here is the link.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126563

Paul

BrianBurkert · 01-17-2014, 08:38 AM

After refurbishing two marginal engines and driving them for years (a couple thousand miles) I can also say that if you can get the proper clearance, you are probably OK. This is especially true if you're not planning on any long distance interstate tours.

My patch together engines have actually laster longer than one that I had "professionally" rebuilt.

01-16-2014, 10:33 AM	#2
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,522	Re: Main bearing/babit help it appears as tho the Babbitt is coming apart . how many miles ? if the rear is like that , what does the center look like ? I think rebuilding is next ........ __________________ V4f

01-16-2014, 12:20 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Main bearing/babit help What was the reason for taking the engine apart? Was it just to check things out, or was there a specific problem?

01-16-2014, 12:38 PM	#4
ifightfire Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 35	Re: Main bearing/babit help just checking things out i have never had the engine running. i was hoping to dissemble and clean and reassemble but now im not sure what to do.

01-16-2014, 02:39 PM	#5
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: Main bearing/babit help I see you still have some shims in the rear bearing. IMO: If you are just going to drive it a few times each summer, you could probably put it back together adjusting the clearances as you do and it would likely last a couple to many years if you keep the RPM's down. I suggest you study the rest of the components to see if they are worthy of reassembly or need attention. (As commented above...what condition is the center main in?) Good Day! Last edited by Dave in MN; 01-25-2014 at 08:36 PM.

01-16-2014, 02:41 PM	#6
Mark in MT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Western MT Posts: 218	Re: Main bearing/babit help Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The first consideration is if the crankshaft is usable in its present condition. If the journals are not all smooth and perfectly round, then it needs to be reground. The cost of getting a crank ground is a lot less than a new babbitt job, and a bad crank will soon destroy the best babbitt there is. __________________ Mark in MT Always looking for another opportunity to be wrong.

01-16-2014, 02:45 PM	#7
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Main bearing/babit help Maybe I'm missing something, but, I'm with Dave.

01-16-2014, 03:11 PM	#8
ifightfire Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 35	Re: Main bearing/babit help ok im feeling a little better now. i was thinking i was headed for $$$$ with no other options. the center main bearings are much better than the rear bearing.yes i will only be driving limited amouts

01-16-2014, 03:53 PM	#9
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Main bearing/babit help I also agree with Dave. Chances are the babbit in my temporary Phaeton engine looks worse than your's, and I'm still driving it.

01-16-2014, 09:26 PM	#11
bdave_mcc Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: McCalla, AL Posts: 181	Re: Main bearing/babit help Im not an expert by any means. I had a similar thread a few weeks ago. The babbit on the rear main was cracked like yours except it was on the cap...and it was missing the oil drain tube, so i had a severe oil leak AND damaged babbit....scared the crap out of me. I took the advice of James and adjusted the clearance on the mains using the foil method and put it back together. So far so good, and no oil leak.

01-17-2014, 08:38 AM	#13
BrianBurkert Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Fleetwood, PA Posts: 419	Re: Main bearing/babit help After refurbishing two marginal engines and driving them for years (a couple thousand miles) I can also say that if you can get the proper clearance, you are probably OK. This is especially true if you're not planning on any long distance interstate tours. My patch together engines have actually laster longer than one that I had "professionally" rebuilt.