[SEL] Pitted shaft & Babbitt bearings

[Larry Sain]

Hi Andy,

I'm pretty much an expert, having poured a grand total of one bearing, so
take my experience for what it's worth.  The con rod bearing on my 20 HP
Bessemer was in pieces and the crank pin had a pretty bad crater in it as
well as some smaller pits.  Upon the advice of some true oil field engine
experts, I poured the bearing, scraped it, cut oil grooves and left the pits
alone, other than cleaning them.  The engine runs flawlessly under no load
and a max of 80-90 rpm.  Since the crank pin is 3 and 3/4 inches in
diameter, even a pretty nasty pit has little effect on the structural
integrity or so I'm told.  You could always pour the bearing and Then fill
the pits with JB, thus avoiding the heat of the pour.  You'll want to scrape
the bearings anyway so the buildup from the pitted areas will be gone.  Cut
your oil grooves and fire it up.  Good luck.

Larry in Cat Square, NC


----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Glines" <andyglines at hotmail.com>
To: <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>; <pioneersop96 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2005 12:16 PM
Subject: [SEL] Pitted shaft & Babbitt bearings


> I am posting this to the SEL and Steam lists because I think that it is
> relevant to both.  You folks have entertained my questions about babbitt
> pouring and have given me a great deal of guidance.  I have an issue with
> one of the shafts that needs new bearings.  The shaft is badly pitted so
it
> needs repair before pouring a new bearing.  My initial thought was to fill
> the pits with JBweld.  The JB will work fine in operation but I'm worried
> about it holding up the heat of pouring the bearing.  Has anyone else
tried
> this?
>
>
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