The Ford Barn

headonz · 10-30-2024, 01:09 AM

I am still a little confused on this issue.
Can the standard B motor connecting rods be machined to take the insert bearings from Snyder ect.

Most topics in the past seem to result in the babbit vs insert debate

johnneilson · 10-30-2024, 10:57 AM

Not sure the bearings that Snyders sells
In the past B rods were machined for inserts using common auto bearings
The basic assembly can fit a 2.000 bore or if careful 2.021 bore
The old Volvo bearings worked well and I have two motors with them
The 2.021 uses two narrowed inserts per rod
What I see for the thrust control is some type of welding and machining to correct dimension

IMHO there are new rods available properly made to use bearing inserts and replacement inserts available

J

Bob C · 10-30-2024, 11:17 AM

This is from Snyder's web site.
"If you have already purchased a set of our new "B" style connecting rods, these are the replacement bearing kits that fit them. A set is enough to do 4 rods. 1932-34, 4 cylinder.
NOTE: If boring out original rods to accept these bearings, the bore specification is 2.0210/2.0215". U.S.A."

ModelA29 · 10-30-2024, 01:25 PM

The new B rods are from Antique Engine Rebuilding @ $770 a set with bearings.

https://www.antiqueenginerebuilding....ting_rods.html

If you have a good set of rods it will certainly be cheaper to bore them and just buy the bearings.

Synchro909 · 10-30-2024, 04:46 PM

15 years ago, I had a diamond B engine rebuilt with insert bearings throughout. The mains were the same as Terry Burtz uses in his engine (2" journal) only mine are 0.010" undersize. The rods are (I think ) from a Toyota forklift. "EBR004H-010". Those inserts were put into machined original rods.
In short, to answer the question: YES original rods can be machined to take inserted bearings.

johnneilson · 10-30-2024, 05:31 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Trust me
This is no simple machining process to be done correctly
Lost count of how many sets done but it was enough to know the ins and out of the process
I would cull about 25% of the candidates as junk and keep in mind the small end always gets a new set of bushings so it was not part of the criteria

Just an informed opinion
J

Synchro909 · 10-30-2024, 11:12 PM

Fatigue is a big consideration 90 years after they were made and who knows what abuse in the mean time.

headonz · 10-31-2024, 02:45 AM

Thank you for everyones input.It has sent me off on a google binge that seems to have no end. Never realized there were so many options.

10-30-2024, 01:09 AM	#1
headonz Member Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: Motueka New Zealand Posts: 49	Connecting rod machined to take insert bearing ? I am still a little confused on this issue. Can the standard B motor connecting rods be machined to take the insert bearings from Snyder ect. Most topics in the past seem to result in the babbit vs insert debate

10-30-2024, 10:57 AM	#2
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,181	Re: Connecting rod machined to take insert bearing ? Not sure the bearings that Snyders sells In the past B rods were machined for inserts using common auto bearings The basic assembly can fit a 2.000 bore or if careful 2.021 bore The old Volvo bearings worked well and I have two motors with them The 2.021 uses two narrowed inserts per rod What I see for the thrust control is some type of welding and machining to correct dimension IMHO there are new rods available properly made to use bearing inserts and replacement inserts available J __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

10-30-2024, 11:17 AM	#3
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,358	Re: Connecting rod machined to take insert bearing ? This is from Snyder's web site. "If you have already purchased a set of our new "B" style connecting rods, these are the replacement bearing kits that fit them. A set is enough to do 4 rods. 1932-34, 4 cylinder. NOTE: If boring out original rods to accept these bearings, the bore specification is 2.0210/2.0215". U.S.A."

10-30-2024, 01:25 PM	#4
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,152	Re: Connecting rod machined to take insert bearing ? The new B rods are from Antique Engine Rebuilding @ $770 a set with bearings. https://www.antiqueenginerebuilding....ting_rods.html If you have a good set of rods it will certainly be cheaper to bore them and just buy the bearings.

10-30-2024, 04:46 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,041	Re: Connecting rod machined to take insert bearing ? 15 years ago, I had a diamond B engine rebuilt with insert bearings throughout. The mains were the same as Terry Burtz uses in his engine (2" journal) only mine are 0.010" undersize. The rods are (I think ) from a Toyota forklift. "EBR004H-010". Those inserts were put into machined original rods. In short, to answer the question: YES original rods can be machined to take inserted bearings. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

10-30-2024, 05:31 PM	#6
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,181	Re: Connecting rod machined to take insert bearing ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Trust me This is no simple machining process to be done correctly Lost count of how many sets done but it was enough to know the ins and out of the process I would cull about 25% of the candidates as junk and keep in mind the small end always gets a new set of bushings so it was not part of the criteria Just an informed opinion J __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

10-30-2024, 11:12 PM	#7
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,041	Re: Connecting rod machined to take insert bearing ? Fatigue is a big consideration 90 years after they were made and who knows what abuse in the mean time. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

10-31-2024, 02:45 AM	#8
headonz Member Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: Motueka New Zealand Posts: 49	Re: Connecting rod machined to take insert bearing ? Thank you for everyones input.It has sent me off on a google binge that seems to have no end. Never realized there were so many options.