laterods to early crank

[Fourdy]

Will the French rods work with the 46-48 cranks? If so, use the earl bearings?

I have a new set all well protected in cosmoline.

Thanks,

Fourdy

[Ken/Alabama]

Are the French rods of the 8BA style ? If so , they will not work with 46-48 crankshaft because of the single oil hole per rod journal.

[Fourdy]

I understand the early bearings have to be used. I have seen a mix of late rods in that some had a squirt hole on the big end and a lot didn't. Help me understand what would be the difference between early rods and late without squirt holes.

Sincerely appreciate your help.

Fourdy

[Ken/Alabama]

Rods from 32-48 used the floating bearings and the rods are machined for their use. The later 49-53 rods use the lock in type inserts one bearing per rod. Never seen anyone use the later 49-53 rods with the floating bearings. Not to say it can't be done but I've not seen it.

[flatheadmurre]

You can tell if they are for locked in bearing inserts from the 2 notches where the cap connect to the rod.
Smooth inner surface in the big end with no notches= floating bearings.

[Brian]

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For all intents and purposes, French rods are the same as 8BA. They take the thin wall lock in 8BA shell bearings. The earlier 239, 29A rods, have a larger diameter big end, because the full floater bearings have a larger outside diameter than 8BA's.
Some Canadian 46-48 engines ran lock in shell style bearings. These used 29A rods with notches to secure the thick wall shell bearings. These bearings are very hard to source now, but would not fit 8BA/French rods. However, those notched 29A rods can be successfully used with floaters. Confused yet?

[rotorwrench]

The odd Canadian engine has the large C69A casting marks that would be hard not to notice.

The French SUMB truck engines are part early 59 series style (integral rear bell housing) and part 8BA. Most of the characteristics are 8BA type. They used 6 7/8" con rods with the 4" crank shaft so that both the 239 & 255 versions could use the same pistons. All rod & main bearings were 8BA style. Ford USA 8BA crank shaft and rods are interchangeable with the French SUMB engine block. You can use early floater rod bearings on the 8BA type crank but you can't use locking types on the early crank as was already mentioned.

ADD: Exception on Main bearings. Mains are 59A type due to the similarity with the 59A in the bell and lower end of the block.

[flatheadmurre]

There are SAF floating bearing rods same as 29a.
Think they are Comete ??
Have a rotating assembly in the shop.

[Brian]

No Rotor...the french engines use 59A style main bearings

[flatheadmurre]

Here´s some pics of the leftover setup i have in the shop.

[Fourdy]

Thanks to all of you 'Barners.

Fourdy

[rotorwrench]

I think we are mixing up different French engines here. The Simca Unic Marmon Bocquet SUMB engines are not the same as the post war French SAF. They use the same type locked rod bearings as the 8BA. In fact the rods and crank shaft are interchangeable but a lot of folks just use the USA Ford internals. The mains bearings are always set up to fit the block they go in and the block is more similar to the 59A for the bottom end so only the Mains are affected.