Shim mains

[bobv]

Anyone in north central Mn with knowledge/experience shimming rods and mains? Looking for some help on this one as I have never done it. Would be nice to have someone that could look for other potential problems while the pan is off. I'm not looking for free help, more that willing to pay someone to do it and/or guide me thru it.
Bob

[Colorado Greg]

Check with your local Model A club as there are usually folks willing to help. I just did mine for the first time and it wasn't that difficult. It seems there are alot of different ways to get it accomplished but I ended up using plastiguage with the engine out of the car. I read everything I could before starting and it helped alot.
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32822

[Peter J]

I'm in the middle of doing main bearings myself. Spare engine. I'm just taking my time and if I have a question, I use the Andrews book, ask the Barn or a friend of mine that does this stuff for a living. I just remember that once it's in the car it it better be right or I have a big mess on my hands.
Pete

[bobv]

The nearest club is over 100 miles away. I think it would be good to have someone that has done it before. I might have to haul it to someone with the expertise but not sure where that would be.
Thanks

[Dave in MN]

Bob,
I'm 25 miles south of the Twin Cities...I'd be glad to assist you but that is quite a haul from your place....Ironton...just west of Deerwood and Crosby...nice area!
I don't recall anyone on the North side that works on engines. If someone comes to mind, I'll forward the contact. Most of the guys in the Club bring their engine work to me if they don't do it themselves. If you need to reach me, my location and contact info is on my website.
Good Day!
Dave in MN
www.durableperformance.net

SEE THE NEXT POST...PRETTY GOOD!

[Mike V. Florida]

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Originally Posted by bobv

Anyone in north central Mn with knowledge/experience shimming rods and mains? Looking for some help on this one as I have never done it. Would be nice to have someone that could look for other potential problems while the pan is off. I'm not looking for free help, more that willing to pay someone to do it and/or guide me thru it.
Bob

INTERFERENCE FITTING OF BEARINGS

When I purchased my car the engine made a real racket especially after the Breakfast on the
beach run last year. I replaced the timing gear, (it was a real mess) and found this procedure on
the web. I have done it on the rods but not yet on the crank.
Mike Flanagan has posted his description of interference fitting of the main bearings in the
Model A engine. Because of the weight of the flywheel and the flexibility of the Model A crank,
plastigauge my not be a reliable method of adjusting the bearing clearances.
Here's Mike:
How do you check the clearance on the bearings? It is not QED but can be done if you can lay on
your back and work with oil and grit and grime falling in your eyes.
First you gotta drop the pan, let it sit overnight to get all the oil that will fall out to do so. You are
still going to get oily. Pull the damn oil pump out and lay it aside. You can shine a flashlight up
in there to see which way the tang is oriented to reinstall and with it out there won't be so damn
much blood on it to clean off it.
Then I start with the center main. This one requires that the valve cover be taken off as the nut is
in side there. The other nut is between 2 and three outside on the other side. Remove the cap
being careful to keep the shims on the same side as they came from. Visually inspect the bearing
for cracks and places at both the front and back that look as if it has been compressing the babbitt
and pushing it forward or to the rear. Bad signs if so. To check the clearance, use a piece
of aluminum foil .002 thick. The heavy duty she buys to do heavy-duty things is .002 but the
regular like you cook a baked potato in is .001 so you fold it. You want a piece as long as the
cap and about 1/2 wide. Lay this in the cap and with the SHIMS BACK IN THERE put the cap
back on and tighten it up. Now you want to see if the motor will turn with the obstruction in
place. Stick a 6" punch in one of the balance holes in the crank throw so the pull will be
consistent each time you check. You are looking for lockup with the obstruction in there and
free without. The shims are increments of .002 or .003 depending on which the rebuild used.
The steel shims are generally in .002 and the brass in .003. Peel 1 increment from one side at a
time, one from one side and if that doesn't lock it up then do one from the other side. Yes it
tedious; just be glad you didn't by a space shuttle. Once you get this bearing to lockup then
remove the obstruction and replace it and tighten it up again and see if it will rotate. If it won't
turn with the 6" punch then put that dame shim back in and run it another 3k.
Do the rear next then the front. The rods adjust exactly the same way. When you finally get a
bearing adjusted like you want it put some pre-lube (engine assembly lube) on there before
putting it on there for the last time. Torque to whatever you has been using (75 minimum) and
go. The rod nuts torque to 40.
To put the pan on there install the oil pump using a 3/8 fine thread bolt in the plug hole in the
side of the block to retain the pump while you install the pan. Finger tight as the threads are
actually national pipe threads but the bolt will work in there. Get some 5/16 all thread and make
yourself some cheaters by cutting 4 pieces 4 or 5 inches long. Screw them into the pan rail and
let 'em hang down. Slip the pan over them and start a nut. Then it is a matter of tightening the
nuts incrementally in turn and thereby winching the pan up against the spring on the pump.
The gaskets and sealer is a matter of choice but my opinion is that the silicone belongs in the
bathroom. I use permatex red personally. When you put it all back together put some of the oil
down the dist hole so the valve galley is oiled. It should not have lost any oil but I like to make
sure.
Lotta work laying on your back Mike Vitetta

[bobv]

I have a lead on someone not to far from me that might be able to give me a hand.

Dave in Mn: I will contact you via your site if that doesn't work out.

Thanks