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A Fascinating Tale of Babbitting – How it was Done at the Pre-War Hot Rod Shop

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by T-Head, Dec 13, 2013.

  1. T-Head
    Joined: Jan 28, 2010
    Posts: 3,967

    T-Head
    Member
    from Paradise.

    ....
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2014
  2. Devin
    Joined: Dec 28, 2004
    Posts: 2,369

    Devin
    Member
    from Napa, CA

    Cool. I always wondered about the process.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  3. FoMoCoMoFo
    Joined: Apr 13, 2011
    Posts: 42

    FoMoCoMoFo
    Member
    from WY

    There's a scene in the move "The Train" with Burt Lancaster where he does it on a steam locomotive part, figured it was similar. Wonder how they do in the block though for main bearings, if you have to preheat it and tin it.

    EDIT: And Claymart's link explained it...
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2013

  4. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,341

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    I poured and fitted babbit bearings as part of my machinist training 25 some-odd years ago.
     
  5. bonesy
    Joined: Aug 14, 2005
    Posts: 2,999

    bonesy
    Member

    That's so cool. Thanks.
     
  6. GEEZZER
    Joined: Mar 20, 2008
    Posts: 296

    GEEZZER
    Member

    My buddy pours Babbitt only because he loves the old processes, Its hard labor intensive, nasty work, makes no money at it, but he still likes doing it.
     
  7. wsdad
    Joined: Dec 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,259

    wsdad
    Member

  8. Rem
    Joined: Mar 6, 2006
    Posts: 1,257

    Rem
    Member

    What is it like to machine? I imagine it being soft and cloggy, but guess it isn't that soft or it wouldn't last?
     
  9. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,717

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    My father was born in 1904 and told me stories of his adventures with his first Model T he had in the early 1920's. He said he had a "kit" that could pour his own babbit bearings and he could drop the crank and after pouring bearings he would lap them in to get a good fit. All done in his dirt driveway at home. He said a lot of local guys did the same, as money was tight, and few could afford to pay a garage to do the work.
     
  10. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,341

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    We didnt machine it, we scraped it with a bearing scraper.
     

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