Remedy for crankshaft end play

[hazelhoff]

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

hazelhoff,
Are you pleased with the results of adding molten babbitt to the main cap as you described? What kind of torch did you use to melt the babbitt and how did you prepare the existing babbitt surface to accept the new molten metal? Any special technique? The more I hear about this method of repair, the more I'm leaning toward trying it myself.
Appreciate your feedback.

Hi McGarrett,

I use the smallest electrical torch I have, in order not to burdon the original Babbitt too much … so only some 60 Watts … you just want to add a thin layer of Babbitt and make it stick too ! Using this light soldering torch take a loooot of time, but be patient. Rush jobs will definitively ruin your base bearing … it’s gone before you you know it !

[hazelhoff]

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

hazelhoff,
Are you pleased with the results of adding molten babbitt to the main cap as you described? What kind of torch did you use to melt the babbitt and how did you prepare the existing babbitt surface to accept the new molten metal? Any special technique? The more I hear about this method of repair, the more I'm leaning toward trying it myself.
Appreciate your feedback.

Excuse me, not a torch … an Iron ! ELECTRIC !

[hazelhoff]

Indeed, do not touch the bearing surface, just the thrust ! Drip at a time …

[callcoy]

Call Antique Engine Rebuilders, I have used some of their half moon inserts with great success, they use them on every engine rebuild. I clean the bad babbit thrust surface off the back of the rear main and replace it with two of their inserts, I sent the rear main cap to them to have the front machined for one of their inserts, the block will keep it from spinning. One of the rear inserts has to be pinned to the block to keep both from spinning. These have to be hand fit, no belt senders, plate glass/ground garnet and very fine emery cloth. Have been very successful in making engines live a little longer.

[katy]

Originally Posted by callcoy

half moon inserts

Pictures would be nice.

[katy]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'm thinking on building up the thrust surface of the rear main cap and am considering using lead free solder (97% tin 3% copper) It's close to the formula for babbitt and am wondering if anyone has tried it? It's hard to find babbitt around here.

[RandyinUtah]

In the past heated some old babbitt and pored the liquid into a small angle iron in a V for a mold. The result was a stick of babbitt about the size of a pencil which worked well with the old style soldering iron. The objective was to make a stick of babbitt work and melt like using solder.