Babbitt & I
This is how I made new crankshaft main babbitt bearings for myIHC / McCormick Deering Model M, 1 1/2 hp engine. I don't know if it was the best way,
but seeing how they turned out okay after a little trial and error, it must not have
been the worst way!
I might add that main bearings are available retail for this particular engine
and for the price, you'd be money ahead in buying them if you figure all the
time you had into making them.... but hey, it was good practice for that orphan engine
in the future where parts aren't available.. and besides, I have a little of
grandfather's blood in me. His philosophy was, from my observance....
"Why buy something when you can make it yourself, or wrap it up with some
bailing wire to fix it!
WARNING ~ CAUTION ~ SAFETY ~ DO AT YOUR OWN RISK ~ CAN BE DANGEROUS
I bought a little pamphlet on "pouring babbitt", and read up on the Internet
for the "Do's" and "Don'ts" in babbittry. (Is that a word?)
Safety can't be emphasized enough when you're messing around hot molten
metal, unhealthy fumes, etc., so don't forgo the safety portion of your studies.
It was highly stressed in my readings that molten babbitt and moisture do not mix.
This I've seen first hand. In pouring one bearing, the molten babbitt spit up
in the air about three feet, letting out a couple of loud "pops" in doing so.
It was either a little moisture in the form of water, or else some damp silicone
that was the culprit.
Lucky I had on the proper PPE!(Personal Protective Equipment)
~ and a handy change of underwear
Click on the first photo below to start seeing my adventure into "Babbitt and I".
Just click on any photo to jump ahead of the class.
Or, The hell with babbitt, I want to see girls!
Return to the "Gray Motor Company" Homepage.
 The Mold |
 Melting Babbitt |
 Poured Babbitt |
 Bottom of Mold |
 Mold Removed |
 The Result |
 On The Reamer |
 On The Lathe |
 Checking The Fit |
 Boring |
 Out of The Lathe |
 Where's The Shims? |
 Halving |
 Half done |
 Old & New |
 Groovy |
 Done Grooving |
 I'm so Blue |
 Scraping To Fit |
 Shimming |
 The Block |
 Going Together |
 Crankshaft In Place |
THE END |