The Ford Barn

Greg Jones · 05-15-2012, 02:36 PM

I just finished checking bearing clearances on my main babbitted bearings in my stock Model T block. I used Herm's method using a spot of oil on the crank then plastigage. I measure the clearance at 0.0015" which I thought was ideal. Once everything is assembled and torqued down, however, I can easily spin the crank by hand. The Model T service manual implies there should be felt "increased resistance" when taking up the bearings. Should I just quit fretting and call it good? Or?

yachtsmanbill · 05-15-2012, 04:06 PM

When I built mine the crank would initially stick, but a firm grip on a journal would send it spinning. Once up on oil it would maybe roll one full turn from a flick on that journal. I think youre good. Hows the thrust? ws

Greg Jones · 05-15-2012, 08:22 PM

Thrust is about .005" and exceeds specs. I have seen worse however in the smoothest running engines. However you have to believe having all that mass ram back and forth cant be good for any part of the engine.

Greg Jones · 05-15-2012, 09:23 PM

Actually I should note that this is with the bearing caps on using Lubriplate engine assembly. So it is lubricated....

yachtsmanbill · 05-16-2012, 05:44 AM

SHHHH !!!! Dont use the "L" word around the exspurts! Lubriplate is all I ever use for assembly. "Its the film..." ws

van Dyck · 05-16-2012, 10:03 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Do not use Lubriplate if you do not intend to run the engine shortly after assembly. I had to tear down a rebuilt engine assembled with Lubriplate and had sat for a couple of decades with out ever running. The Lubriplate had solidified!

Jack Innes · 05-16-2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by van Dyck

Do not use Lubriplate if you do not intend to run the engine shortly after assembly. I had to tear down a rebuilt engine assembled with Lubriplate and had sat for a couple of decades with out ever running. The Lubriplate had solidified!

I have seen the same thing!

Kohnke Rebabbitting · 05-16-2012, 11:11 PM

Chicken fat has more lubricating Qualities then Lubriplate!

[email protected] · 05-16-2012, 11:33 PM

Boy I'm glad I don't use Lubriplate. I was thinking about using it but then I realized I wasn't rebuilding any engines and I use vegetable oil for cooking so it came to me that I really don't have a use for Lubriplate. And if I was rebuilding an engine I wouldn't use it on a bet because, well, it's not good stuff.

05-15-2012, 02:36 PM	#1
Greg Jones Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Aiken, South Carolina Posts: 695	Bearing Clearances I just finished checking bearing clearances on my main babbitted bearings in my stock Model T block. I used Herm's method using a spot of oil on the crank then plastigage. I measure the clearance at 0.0015" which I thought was ideal. Once everything is assembled and torqued down, however, I can easily spin the crank by hand. The Model T service manual implies there should be felt "increased resistance" when taking up the bearings. Should I just quit fretting and call it good? Or?

05-15-2012, 04:06 PM	#2
yachtsmanbill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Two Rivers, Wi. Posts: 1,406	Re: Bearing Clearances When I built mine the crank would initially stick, but a firm grip on a journal would send it spinning. Once up on oil it would maybe roll one full turn from a flick on that journal. I think youre good. Hows the thrust? ws

05-15-2012, 08:22 PM	#3
Greg Jones Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Aiken, South Carolina Posts: 695	Re: Bearing Clearances Thrust is about .005" and exceeds specs. I have seen worse however in the smoothest running engines. However you have to believe having all that mass ram back and forth cant be good for any part of the engine.

05-15-2012, 09:23 PM	#4
Greg Jones Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Aiken, South Carolina Posts: 695	Re: Bearing Clearances Actually I should note that this is with the bearing caps on using Lubriplate engine assembly. So it is lubricated....

05-16-2012, 05:44 AM	#5
yachtsmanbill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Two Rivers, Wi. Posts: 1,406	Re: Bearing Clearances SHHHH !!!! Dont use the "L" word around the exspurts! Lubriplate is all I ever use for assembly. "Its the film..." ws

05-16-2012, 10:03 PM	#6
van Dyck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 190	Re: Bearing Clearances Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Do not use Lubriplate if you do not intend to run the engine shortly after assembly. I had to tear down a rebuilt engine assembled with Lubriplate and had sat for a couple of decades with out ever running. The Lubriplate had solidified!

05-16-2012, 11:11 PM	#8
Kohnke Rebabbitting Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 60615,330th Ave.,Clare, Iowa, 50524 Posts: 1,457	Re: Bearing Clearances Chicken fat has more lubricating Qualities then Lubriplate!

05-16-2012, 11:33 PM	#9
[email protected] Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 937	Re: Bearing Clearances Boy I'm glad I don't use Lubriplate. I was thinking about using it but then I realized I wasn't rebuilding any engines and I use vegetable oil for cooking so it came to me that I really don't have a use for Lubriplate. And if I was rebuilding an engine I wouldn't use it on a bet because, well, it's not good stuff. __________________ It's 110 miles to Chicago We've got half a pack of cigarettes It's dark And we're wearing sunglasses Let's go.