[SEL] White metal to bronze question

[Russell Gilbert]

Howdy ya all.
I want to have a go of fixing the bearing gap (if you like) in the 
big Graham engine I have. It runs fine but has a little jump in the 
crank shaft in the bearings itself on the compression stroke. So yes 
they are warn, but not major or it does look like a major problem 
anyway. Some of my past engines have actually had a very thin layer 
of white metal placed on the original bronze bearings so I thought I 
could do the same thing. I have plenty of white metal. Just have 
never used it before. How would I go about melting the white metal 
and attaching it to the bronze bearings. I imagine I would clamp the 
bearings together and put something similar in size to my crank shaft 
inside. Melt the white metal and pour! But I need to prep the bronze 
surface area first ... Yes? How would that be done? second when I 
pour the metal ...... should the bronze be preheated at all? and what 
should I use to on the shaft bit so the metal doesn't stick to it 
when I remove it from the set casting?
I have never done this stuff before so I will probably stuff 
something up but one will not learn if one does not have a go.  In 
case some of you are wondering how big the gap I trying to fill is 
.... I would have a guess to say about the thickness of 2 to 3 playing cards.
regards Russell



Russell Gilbert
Sunny Sunraysia
russell at ncable.com.au
http://community.webshots.com/user/russellsrelics