The Ford Barn

retubjb · 10-08-2022, 06:56 PM

I have no idea what this is, my friend was using it as ballast in a sailboat. Is this what babbitt material looks like? I have 40-50 pounds of it. If there is interest I can post it in the swap meet.

Brkile · 10-08-2022, 08:46 PM

Yes. It says right on it, correct??

retubjb · 10-08-2022, 09:23 PM

yes, it says nickel babbitt. I am wondering if it is what is used in car engines and if someone is interested in it.

stevests · 10-08-2022, 09:26 PM

I knew the manager at Non-Ferrous Metals a number of years ago - I used to work on his Dad's Model T - that appears to be a rather old ingot ! I had Ford formula Babbitt made for me at their plant.

retubjb · 10-08-2022, 09:44 PM

Yes, it's old. I have had this pile for almost thirty years. I am thinking of scrapping it but wanted to know if someone is interested in it before i do.

J Franklin · 10-08-2022, 10:59 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Delete. Bad info,

History · 10-09-2022, 08:40 AM

I know someone who might be interested, I’ll check and see and let you know.

rotorwrench · 10-09-2022, 09:05 AM

There certainly are different formulations for what is referred to as babbitt. The variations in alloys cover a wide range of uses from the small Ford engine bearings clear up to large engine bearings built to power the older ocean going ship in the era before steam turbines took over.

nkaminar · 10-09-2022, 09:13 AM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_(alloy)

Gene F · 10-09-2022, 09:56 AM

Diesel babbit is way softer. Be careful what you use.

katy · 10-09-2022, 10:28 AM

Suggest you take one of the pieces to a scrap metal yard where they have a hand held metal x ray analyser machine, aka xrf metal analyzer. That will tell you what alls in the metal. Precious metal buyers also use these analysers.
https://irss.ca/product-category/scr...iAAEgKdzvD_BwE

Joe K · 10-09-2022, 05:18 PM

"Power Nickle Babbitt" is among the best at least outside of Model A Land.

"Magnolia Metal" has nice period victorian bars - but is a true lead babbitt. I MIGHT do a saw arbor in Magnolia.

The Ford Babbitt formula was given by Steve Ross years ago in an online publication "Rebuilding the Model A Engine." I'm not seeing the publication online now which is too bad as Steve had studied out the Ford techniques and practice - and in another document tested and compared techniques. He put a lot of work into research.

He has Ford Babbitt at: 86%tin 7%copper 7%antimony.

He says the only suitable commercially available babbitt to be used on the Model A is 12SAE Babbitt: 89%Tin 7.5%Antimony 3.5%Copper (http://hirschmetals.com/wp-content/u...bbitAlloys.pdf)

Also he says DON'T use babbitt with more than 1/4 of 1 percent as nickle. Avoid altogether if possible. (This is a surprise for me with power plant/turbine experience - but turbine bearings are "pressure lubricated - the main oil pump "lifts" the turbine spindle before rotation. Technically there is no direct contact between journal and bearing.)

Too bad about the document being removed...

EDIT: FOUND the document within a reference here at Fordbarn.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1823977&postcount=6

There is a PDF attachment at the link above. 13 pages.

Joe K

1crosscut · 10-09-2022, 05:51 PM

I would be interested in one of them just as a curiosity piece to add to my walls of odd and interesting things.

retubjb · 10-11-2022, 03:25 PM

Thanks for the information from those with knowledge. It helped me out greatly.

retubjb · 10-11-2022, 03:28 PM

get ahold of me next week and we can work something out

Kevin in NJ · 10-12-2022, 06:42 AM

Yes it is a grade of babbitt that could be used for the Model A engine. It is not the Ford blend, but will work.

http://nfmetals.com/babbitt-metal/

https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/babbittgrades.htm

That being said, pouring babbitt properly is a complicated process based on known science. It is not something to be done sucessfully by an inexperienced person. In fact, there are video showing current engine shops doing babbitt improperly. Babbitt poured improperly will fail in time long before it wears out.

The babbitt you have is likely worth more then the cost of the lead needed to replace weight in the sailboat. There are people that would be happy to pay for it. Oh, shipping is best by USPS one rate boxes.

10-08-2022, 08:46 PM	#2
Brkile Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 27	Re: Is this babbitt? Yes. It says right on it, correct??

10-08-2022, 09:23 PM	#3
retubjb Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Scottville, mi Posts: 11	Re: Is this babbitt? yes, it says nickel babbitt. I am wondering if it is what is used in car engines and if someone is interested in it.

10-08-2022, 09:26 PM	#4
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 513	Re: Is this babbitt? I knew the manager at Non-Ferrous Metals a number of years ago - I used to work on his Dad's Model T - that appears to be a rather old ingot ! I had Ford formula Babbitt made for me at their plant.

10-08-2022, 09:44 PM	#5
retubjb Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Scottville, mi Posts: 11	Re: Is this babbitt? Yes, it's old. I have had this pile for almost thirty years. I am thinking of scrapping it but wanted to know if someone is interested in it before i do.

10-08-2022, 10:59 PM	#6
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Is this babbitt? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Delete. Bad info, Last edited by J Franklin; 10-09-2022 at 09:26 PM.

10-09-2022, 08:40 AM	#7
History Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: NC Mountains Posts: 689	Re: Is this babbitt? I know someone who might be interested, I’ll check and see and let you know.

10-09-2022, 09:05 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Is this babbitt? There certainly are different formulations for what is referred to as babbitt. The variations in alloys cover a wide range of uses from the small Ford engine bearings clear up to large engine bearings built to power the older ocean going ship in the era before steam turbines took over.

10-09-2022, 09:13 AM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Is this babbitt? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_(alloy) __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-09-2022, 09:56 AM	#10
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: Is this babbitt? Diesel babbit is way softer. Be careful what you use.

10-09-2022, 10:28 AM	#11
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Is this babbitt? Suggest you take one of the pieces to a scrap metal yard where they have a hand held metal x ray analyser machine, aka xrf metal analyzer. That will tell you what alls in the metal. Precious metal buyers also use these analysers. https://irss.ca/product-category/scr...iAAEgKdzvD_BwE __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

10-09-2022, 05:18 PM	#12
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Is this babbitt? "Power Nickle Babbitt" is among the best at least outside of Model A Land. "Magnolia Metal" has nice period victorian bars - but is a true lead babbitt. I MIGHT do a saw arbor in Magnolia. The Ford Babbitt formula was given by Steve Ross years ago in an online publication "Rebuilding the Model A Engine." I'm not seeing the publication online now which is too bad as Steve had studied out the Ford techniques and practice - and in another document tested and compared techniques. He put a lot of work into research. He has Ford Babbitt at: 86%tin 7%copper 7%antimony. He says the only suitable commercially available babbitt to be used on the Model A is 12SAE Babbitt: 89%Tin 7.5%Antimony 3.5%Copper (http://hirschmetals.com/wp-content/u...bbitAlloys.pdf) Also he says DON'T use babbitt with more than 1/4 of 1 percent as nickle. Avoid altogether if possible. (This is a surprise for me with power plant/turbine experience - but turbine bearings are "pressure lubricated - the main oil pump "lifts" the turbine spindle before rotation. Technically there is no direct contact between journal and bearing.) Too bad about the document being removed... EDIT: FOUND the document within a reference here at Fordbarn. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1823977&postcount=6 There is a PDF attachment at the link above. 13 pages. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse. Last edited by Joe K; 10-09-2022 at 05:25 PM.

10-09-2022, 05:51 PM	#13
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: Is this babbitt? I would be interested in one of them just as a curiosity piece to add to my walls of odd and interesting things. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

10-11-2022, 03:25 PM	#14
retubjb Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Scottville, mi Posts: 11	Re: Is this babbitt? Thanks for the information from those with knowledge. It helped me out greatly.

10-11-2022, 03:28 PM	#15
retubjb Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Scottville, mi Posts: 11	Re: Is this babbitt? get ahold of me next week and we can work something out

10-12-2022, 06:42 AM	#16
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Is this babbitt? Yes it is a grade of babbitt that could be used for the Model A engine. It is not the Ford blend, but will work. http://nfmetals.com/babbitt-metal/ https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/babbittgrades.htm That being said, pouring babbitt properly is a complicated process based on known science. It is not something to be done sucessfully by an inexperienced person. In fact, there are video showing current engine shops doing babbitt improperly. Babbitt poured improperly will fail in time long before it wears out. The babbitt you have is likely worth more then the cost of the lead needed to replace weight in the sailboat. There are people that would be happy to pay for it. Oh, shipping is best by USPS one rate boxes.