[Kurt in NJ]

With Babbitt the bearings are made to fit the crankshaft --it is somewhat adjustable to a crankshaft not quite an exact undersize

With inserts the crankshaft is made to fit the inserts, has to be the exact size for the inserts to have proper clearance

When there is a babbitt failure most likely the crankshaft and bearing bore are not damaged---just the babbitt

with inserts when there is a failure most likely the crankshaft will be damaged, and if the insert spins, the rod, or block

Babbitt has a greater capacity to absorb "dirt" than inserts ---the babbitt layer on an insert is thin