The Ford Barn

My1930ModelA · 05-14-2015, 08:47 PM

Removed my rear main cap today to check and adjust the mains. I think this is the first adjustment in the car's life, at 38,000 actual miles. My family has owned it since 1957. Anyway, I found that a portion of the forward thrust babbit surface was broken. I'm not sure what to do. The piece fits back into the existing babbit perfectly, and is captured in place when the cap is installed. Can anyone give me advice as to how to proceed, up to and including a full engine overhaul?
Thanks in advance,

Mark

J Franklin · 05-14-2015, 09:21 PM

J B Weld, or look up Bill Barlow in Bend Oregon, he used to re-do rear main caps.

Jim Brierley · 05-15-2015, 11:29 AM

Stick the piece back in place and don't worry about it. Glue it in with JB weld, Locktite or something if you want but it isn't necessary.

My1930ModelA · 05-15-2015, 08:15 PM

Thank you Jim and J. Franklin! Going to follow the advice to put it back in and move on. My first Model A, own and work on several 50s and 60s cars but never one of this vintage before!

Mark

Dick Deegan · 05-15-2015, 08:53 PM

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I had exactly the same thing happen. I glued it back on after really cleaning the oil off the cap surface where the piec that broke off goes using JB weld. I then filed it a bit to have the glued on surface match the rest of the thrust surface. As far as I know it's till there doing its job.

Dick

05-14-2015, 08:47 PM	#1
My1930ModelA Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: New Philadelphia, Ohio Posts: 32	Rear main cap thrust surface Removed my rear main cap today to check and adjust the mains. I think this is the first adjustment in the car's life, at 38,000 actual miles. My family has owned it since 1957. Anyway, I found that a portion of the forward thrust babbit surface was broken. I'm not sure what to do. The piece fits back into the existing babbit perfectly, and is captured in place when the cap is installed. Can anyone give me advice as to how to proceed, up to and including a full engine overhaul? Thanks in advance, Mark

05-14-2015, 09:21 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Rear main cap thrust surface J B Weld, or look up Bill Barlow in Bend Oregon, he used to re-do rear main caps.

05-15-2015, 11:29 AM	#3
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,089	Re: Rear main cap thrust surface Stick the piece back in place and don't worry about it. Glue it in with JB weld, Locktite or something if you want but it isn't necessary.

05-15-2015, 08:15 PM	#4
My1930ModelA Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: New Philadelphia, Ohio Posts: 32	Re: Rear main cap thrust surface Thank you Jim and J. Franklin! Going to follow the advice to put it back in and move on. My first Model A, own and work on several 50s and 60s cars but never one of this vintage before! Mark

05-15-2015, 08:53 PM	#5
Dick Deegan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 527	Re: Rear main cap thrust surface Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had exactly the same thing happen. I glued it back on after really cleaning the oil off the cap surface where the piec that broke off goes using JB weld. I then filed it a bit to have the glued on surface match the rest of the thrust surface. As far as I know it's till there doing its job. Dick