[SEL] Eng bearing cap info needed

[Dave Rotigel]

Hi Cure,
         Shims were made (and can be made) out of many kinds of 
material--metal, wood, gasket material and even cardboard. Many on the list 
now prefer the "official" SEL shim stock--empty beer cans. This is not 
really because the Al in beer cans is any better than any other material, 
but rather because it's so much fun producing the shim stock.
         In any event, start with an approximate amount of shim material 
and tighten one of the caps down to the proper tightness. Try to turn the 
flywheels. If they will not turn add another shin and try again. Repeat 
this process until the flywheels turn easily. Then go to the other side and 
do the same thing. If, on the other hand, the flywheels turn freely when 
you start, remove one shim at a time (tightening the cap each time) until 
the flywheels bind up--then add back the last shim that you removed.
         I'm not sure what you mean by "make up new ones." I use a pair of 
scissors. Good tin snips work well also. A hole punch of the proper size 
for the studs helps a good bit. If I decided to use wooden shims I guess 
that I would use a saw and drill press. Keep in mind that all of your shims 
do not need to be the same thickness nor made out of the same material.
         Dave
PS, Anyone who suggests that you go to the auto store and purchase some 
sort of material with which to measure (ie Plastagage [sp?]) does not 
understand what it meant to own one of these engines in the teens or 20's!

At 06:25 AM 12/26/2005, you wrote:
>How does one determine quantity of shims to use when replacing the bearing
>caps over the crank shaft on a Sandwich 1 1/2hp. The shim stock on my engine
>fell apart when soaking in solvent tank and I am trying to adjust the
>tightness of the bearing caps.  Also any sugestions on how to make up new 
>ones.
>Any other engine Ive restored always made them out of metal and they were
>easily saved.
>thankyou in advance,
>Curt Andree