Bearing babbit composition

[tubman]

In an earlier thread, I asked about a noise in the drivetrain of my '51 club coupe. At first, I thought it was rod bearings, but now I don't think so. To be on the safe side, I took an oil sample from the engine and sent it in to a testing laboratory. The oil analysis came back showing a superabundance (by todays standards) of lead. The lab said it is probably fuel residue, but it may be bearings. (I do put leaded fuel in it every once in a while, usually leftover from my race car.) I did a little research on babbit, and found there are 2 main types, lead-based, and tin-based. From all I could find out, automotive bearings are usually tin-based. Since the metal readings for the components in tin-based babbit (tin, copper, and antimony) are at reasonable levels, I am assuming that my noise is not coming from the rod bearings. so my question is :

"Does anybody know for sure whether the babbit in rod bearings for an 8BA is lead-based, or tin-based?"

[flatheadmurre]

Think tin based babbit is the only version used for impact bearings like a rod bearing.

[Kurt in NJ]

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Through the years Ford made many types of bearings --copper lead, silver cadmium, tin, and then you get to aftermarket---trimetal-copper,tin babbitt with thin coating of lead ---but as they say--you used leaded fuel