Old time main beaings
 

I'm sure there not many on the barn that's seen these main bearings, just some of us old timers, I was looking through some of my old stash today and come up with a set of mains I've had along time, there thick, about .200 thick, they fit the 36LB- 37- 38 21stud, 2.570 housing, BUT, the crank size 1.998-1.999, they were made buy Ford back during the war, the big one. Back then you couldn't get any thing like a crank so if you needed a crank for an LB or 37 your out of luck, SO, if you could find an early crank with the 2in. mains probably 32-35 you could get these thick mains bearing from Ford and use the early crank. SO, how many of you guys see these bearings? Mama is calling, supper is ready, Walt

Re: Old time main beaings
 

Not me, but sounds interesting.

Re: Old time main beaings
 

They appear on eBay from time to time.

Re: Old time main beaings
 

Yeah - whatever was necessary to keep the old Fords on the road . . . as they weren't making any cars for the masses at the time.

Re: Old time main beaings
 

I had several set that I gave away to a fellow out west that rebuild those early engines.

Re: Old time main beaings
 

I have some , I may have more than one set & I believe they also say on the box "Resizable" may not be genuine ford brand would have to look.

Re: Old time main beaings
 

I have often heard about these special thickness main bearings, but have not actually seen a set and was not sure what they were used for. Thanks for the clarification Walt. It would be nice to see a picture or two of these thick bearings along side a thin version originally used in the '36LB to early '38 engines.

Re: Old time main beaings
 

There are ones made to put a Babbitt crank in the insert block, and later ones to put a 21 stud crank in a 24 stud block, this way you could use your early internals in a later service block

Re: Old time main beaings
 

I have a rebuilt 36 LB engine with those in it. Got the motor this way. It is a spare for my 33 phaeton should I ever need it.

Re: Old time main beaings
 

I have a number of these. Haven't looked at them in years.

Re: Old time main beaings
 

Mine are made for the std. 2in. crank, pretty hard to find a 2in. crank that don't need grinding. Walt

Re: Old time main beaings
 

Walt, I have one.I just need some .003 or .005 under mains for it,if there are such things.
lawrie

Re: Old time main beaings
 

I also have the thick bearings in my lb block. My rebuilder found my babbit block was cracked an no good so he used a LB block with all my parts - crank, etc.