Australia Chevrolet 216 babbitt Connecting Rods
 

Hello All,

I have two 216 cubic inch Chevrolet motors that I am rebuilding. I would like to keep one as original as possible. The engines are of unknown quality. These engines have connecting rods with babbitted shells. Not being aware of the condition of the motor ... I don't know how badly worn they are.

If the worst case scenario occurs and they need work; do you now if anyone in Australia offers a babbitted exchange program? There are a couple of crews in the US of A who still offer the service. It would be pretty sharp for freight though!

Also any tips in rebuilding these motors would be most appreciated.

Kind Regards
Lionel

bearings
 

There are a few options, being a Chevrolet parts are readily available but if you go and buy bits from the USA then, yes the freight costs will be high.

There are places that still do the re-babbiting process but it costs a bomb, typically $300 per rod. Works out to $1800 for the six, then if you need the mains done as well , its more $$$.

If you have the time and equipment , its possible to do the babbit job yourself. Some restorers have done this successfully .

Years ago you would have had the new babbit done at a engine rebuilders and then you would hand scrape the bearings in with a scraper and marking blue , needs patience but its possible to do this yourself.

I am going through this with my Morris 6 engine. I am doing the babbit job myself, the special tinning flux and babbit metal is available from Consolidated alloys . KEMTEX is the flux.

Hello Mike,

Thanks for the information. My workshop does not extend to lathes - presuming from what I have seen on the interweb associated with re-babbitting

I found this link to a 1936 "how to book" Accessed May 18, 2017 from South End Lathe Works http://www.wewilliams.net/docs/1936%...etin%206-C.pdf

And ... a really nicely presented webpage from the "The Old Motor.com site - Accessed May 18, 2017 from http://theoldmotor.com/?p=62427

Kind Regards
Lionel

Lionel, for $1800.00 I'd be talking to a motor reconditioner about having the rods machined for lock in shells. it might not be too much of an issue, and you might save a fortune?
I hear that these days shell bearings in modern engines are made without tangs and tang cutouts in the rods, relying on the fact that the correct sizing locks them in place. You might be lucky that size and width match something else and all that is needed is a normal rod alignment and bore sizing (plus a set of shells and a crank grind) Another angle is to consider using a set of later rods from a similar engine (one that uses lock in bearings)
A good place to start would be to talk to a reputable engine reco man.

Hi Lionel,
To give you an idea of costs.
I have just had my Morris bearings white metaled (I think that is the same as babbitt)
Mains cost $800nz total, metaled, fitted and line bored.
Rods cost $130nz each metaled and machined and fitted to crankshaft.
This was plus our GST of 15% which you would not have to pay.
Regards, Terry

Hello Terry,

Unfortunately GST is alive and well here Terry

Thanks for the list of the prices. Pardon my ignorance of Morris vehicles - are you referring to a four cylinder engine? As in the Chevy being a six cylinder motor ....

I am hoping that the engine will simply be pristine and needs no work done on it at all - just a good clean :wacko: teehee!

Kind Regards
Lionel

cheap
 

That's very cheap ! Whats the name of your engine man :)

Unless the babbit is quite bad, you can remove shims until you have the right clearance and get good results.

Lionel - I should have said it's a 4cyl engine.
6 main bearing shells and 4 rods on a freshly ground shaft. Total $1,320.00
The crankshaft was done by another company so not included in price.
They have to have the block for the line boring so not very practical for someone in Australia I suppose.

Mike- Will PM with address.
Regards, Terry

shims
 

That's what I did with the C8 engine, had no problems with it since. You polish the journals with fine emery .

Hello All,

I joined the local Early Holden car club. When I went along to the last meeting I asked a couple of more senior members about babbitting. It turns out that one of the blokes I used to work with at TAFE - ex-fitter machinist teacher does babbitting locally. I am ex-horticulture TAFE teacher. We both used to sit at the same smoko table each day. We just haven't been in contact with each other for years.

Is this where they play the sound track "it's a small world after all"?

No freight charges either - woohoo!


Kind Regards
Lionel

great
 

He does your big ends and in return you can renovate his garden :smoker:

A better way to go with cast big ends in the 216 & 235 splash feed engines is to have the rods bored to take shell type bearings which can be purchased in standard or a range of undersizes from US suppliers such as Jim Carter Antique Truck Parts. These shells are made specifically to suit this application. You also have to file a notch for the anti-rotation nib.
Main bearing sets are also available in a range of finished sizes.

David

I still can get con rods in over sizes with the cast in bearings for about 40,- Euro`s each , if that is of anny help