The Ford Barn

RW1930A · 08-31-2023, 05:01 PM

Hi All

Does anyone know if Joe Sivils of Turlock Machine is still in business or around? I had him rebuild an engine for me in 2013/2014. I have not checked yet but may need some new bearings (mains & rods). Tried to call and left a message, but has not called back.

Want to see if bearings are available from him or if anyone here knows which insert bearings he uses in his builds.

If anyone has recent contact info that would be helpful

Appreciate your help
Thanks

Randy in ca · 08-31-2023, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW1930A

Hi All

Does anyone know if Joe Sivils of Tracy Machine is still in business or around? I had him rebuild an engine for me in 2013/2014. I have not checked yet but may need some new bearings (mains & rods). Tried to call and left a message, but has not called back.

Want to see if bearings are available from him or if anyone here knows which insert bearings he uses in his builds.

If anyone has recent contact info that would be helpful

Appreciate your help
Thanks

-
Can't offer much info, but I think the name of the shop is TURLOCK MACHINE.

RW1930A · 08-31-2023, 06:45 PM

Thanks Randy, You are correct. I was looking right at the receipt and still typed "Tracy". Getting old! I'll see if I can edit

RW

Jim Brierley · 09-01-2023, 11:58 AM

I understand that Joe has been in the hospital a couple of times??? I also hear that he is getting better and will be back in his shop soon.

ModelA29 · 09-01-2023, 06:50 PM

Bearing inserts generally have the part number and size stamped on them.

arnhemmer · 09-02-2023, 07:14 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

[QUOTE=RW1930A;2252211]Hi All

Does anyone know if Joe Sivils of Turlock Machine is still in business or around? I had him rebuild an engine for me in 2013/2014. I have not checked yet but may need some new bearings (mains & rods). Tried to call and left a message, but has not called back.

Want to see if bearings are available from him or if anyone here knows which insert bearings he uses in his builds.

If anyone has recent contact info that would be helpful

Appreciate your help
Thanks[/QUOTE
I saw a video of his shop. In it he stated that he uses inserts from Antique Engine Rebuilders.

johnneilson · 09-03-2023, 02:43 AM

Let me premis this reply, I do not know which bearings Turlock Machine used, however, I might be able to add some insight.
Over the years a few brave entrepreneurs have contracted to have made custom bearings to fit in the Model A and B motors.
An example of this would be Bratton’s Antique Auto www.brattons.com
The listing shows pictures of the inserts, for the A/B motors, the inserts are longer in length than in diameter. This is the first indication as to the bearings used.

Typical automotive bearings differ in that the length is generally shorter than the diameter.
Upon inspection this would reveal two or even 3 separate inserts per journal.
If this is the case, the fun will be identifying the inserts. When you remove the inserts make sure to make note of the order from front to rear and the block vs cap.

Someone noted previously that the inserts will have a number stamped on the shell, yes, I agree, but this may not get you to the final installed bearing. Having the shell numbers will get you to the design ID and OD of the bearings which will be important to source replacements. The reason to note the stack/order is that it is possible the inserts have been modified in length, 1 side or both sides (narrowing the length)

Sourcing the replacements may be a challenge, for example, finding 1940’s Volvo bearing inserts could be tough, but it can be done. Most of the common diameters used in the A/B are pre-1970’s designs, see the issue?

If you get into a bind, PM me directly and I will see if I have reference material to share.
John

fr33777 · 09-03-2023, 01:41 PM

I have a rebuilt Model A engine from Joe at Turlock Machine. Build sheet shows.
Snyder # A 6331 Main bearing , you have to know the size.
Snyder # A 6202 Rod bearing, you have to know the size.
Hope this helps. Terry Freeman

Gil Sissons · 09-03-2023, 06:06 PM

PM sent.

RW1930A · 09-26-2023, 09:50 AM

Hi arnhemmer

Thank you for that information, very helpful
Richard

RW1930A · 09-26-2023, 10:15 AM

Hi John N
Thanks for the detailed response regarding the various things people have done to adapt insert bearings to the Model A. Entrepreneurs and inventors in action, very cool to hear about.
Have been out of the Model A world for some time. But was looking into my father inlaw's car, which I had the engine rebuilt by Turlock Machine some time ago, and got to wondering what bearings the builders used. Thought it might be some of the self bearings from a "modern" vehicle.
Haven't gotten that deep into it, and hope I don't have to. Curious, mainly.
Thanks

RW

RW1930A · 09-26-2023, 10:20 AM

Hi Terry F

Thanks for the info. I did not get a build sheet from Joe for my engine. I would have liked one! How long ago was your engine built?
Richard W

fr33777 · 09-26-2023, 02:06 PM

It was from 2014. Touring motor. When he was working out of his father in law's shop.

RW1930A · 10-03-2023, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr33777

I have a rebuilt Model A engine from Joe at Turlock Machine. Build sheet shows.
Snyder # A 6331 Main bearing , you have to know the size.
Snyder # A 6202 Rod bearing, you have to know the size.
Hope this helps. Terry Freeman

Hi fr33777
Sending you a Private Message regarding some info which may be in your build sheet.
Regards
RW

08-31-2023, 05:01 PM	#1
RW1930A Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Orangevale, California Posts: 10	Joe Sivils Tracy Machine Hi All Does anyone know if Joe Sivils of Turlock Machine is still in business or around? I had him rebuild an engine for me in 2013/2014. I have not checked yet but may need some new bearings (mains & rods). Tried to call and left a message, but has not called back. Want to see if bearings are available from him or if anyone here knows which insert bearings he uses in his builds. If anyone has recent contact info that would be helpful Appreciate your help Thanks Last edited by RW1930A; 08-31-2023 at 06:47 PM. Reason: Wrong city name for shop

08-31-2023, 06:45 PM	#3
RW1930A Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Orangevale, California Posts: 10	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine Thanks Randy, You are correct. I was looking right at the receipt and still typed "Tracy". Getting old! I'll see if I can edit RW

09-01-2023, 11:58 AM	#4
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,091	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine I understand that Joe has been in the hospital a couple of times??? I also hear that he is getting better and will be back in his shop soon.

09-02-2023, 07:14 AM	#6
arnhemmer Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Jose California Posts: 150	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) [QUOTE=RW1930A;2252211]Hi All Does anyone know if Joe Sivils of Turlock Machine is still in business or around? I had him rebuild an engine for me in 2013/2014. I have not checked yet but may need some new bearings (mains & rods). Tried to call and left a message, but has not called back. Want to see if bearings are available from him or if anyone here knows which insert bearings he uses in his builds. If anyone has recent contact info that would be helpful Appreciate your help Thanks[/QUOTE I saw a video of his shop. In it he stated that he uses inserts from Antique Engine Rebuilders.

09-03-2023, 02:43 AM	#7
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,057	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine Let me premis this reply, I do not know which bearings Turlock Machine used, however, I might be able to add some insight. Over the years a few brave entrepreneurs have contracted to have made custom bearings to fit in the Model A and B motors. An example of this would be Bratton’s Antique Auto www.brattons.com The listing shows pictures of the inserts, for the A/B motors, the inserts are longer in length than in diameter. This is the first indication as to the bearings used. Typical automotive bearings differ in that the length is generally shorter than the diameter. Upon inspection this would reveal two or even 3 separate inserts per journal. If this is the case, the fun will be identifying the inserts. When you remove the inserts make sure to make note of the order from front to rear and the block vs cap. Someone noted previously that the inserts will have a number stamped on the shell, yes, I agree, but this may not get you to the final installed bearing. Having the shell numbers will get you to the design ID and OD of the bearings which will be important to source replacements. The reason to note the stack/order is that it is possible the inserts have been modified in length, 1 side or both sides (narrowing the length) Sourcing the replacements may be a challenge, for example, finding 1940’s Volvo bearing inserts could be tough, but it can be done. Most of the common diameters used in the A/B are pre-1970’s designs, see the issue? If you get into a bind, PM me directly and I will see if I have reference material to share. John __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

09-03-2023, 01:41 PM	#8
fr33777 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 8	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine I have a rebuilt Model A engine from Joe at Turlock Machine. Build sheet shows. Snyder # A 6331 Main bearing , you have to know the size. Snyder # A 6202 Rod bearing, you have to know the size. Hope this helps. Terry Freeman

09-03-2023, 06:06 PM	#9
Gil Sissons Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: No Cal Posts: 224	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine PM sent.

09-26-2023, 09:50 AM	#10
RW1930A Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Orangevale, California Posts: 10	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine Hi arnhemmer Thank you for that information, very helpful Richard

09-26-2023, 10:15 AM	#11
RW1930A Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Orangevale, California Posts: 10	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine Hi John N Thanks for the detailed response regarding the various things people have done to adapt insert bearings to the Model A. Entrepreneurs and inventors in action, very cool to hear about. Have been out of the Model A world for some time. But was looking into my father inlaw's car, which I had the engine rebuilt by Turlock Machine some time ago, and got to wondering what bearings the builders used. Thought it might be some of the self bearings from a "modern" vehicle. Haven't gotten that deep into it, and hope I don't have to. Curious, mainly. Thanks RW

09-26-2023, 10:20 AM	#12
RW1930A Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Orangevale, California Posts: 10	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine Hi Terry F Thanks for the info. I did not get a build sheet from Joe for my engine. I would have liked one! How long ago was your engine built? Richard W

09-26-2023, 02:06 PM	#13
fr33777 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 8	Re: Joe Sivils Tracy Machine It was from 2014. Touring motor. When he was working out of his father in law's shop.