The Ford Barn

carolinamudwalker · 08-02-2015, 06:47 PM

I am planning on using a counterbalanced Burlington crank on an upcoming re build. Babbette or insert bearings ??? What is the current thinking?

Synchro909 · 08-02-2015, 06:53 PM

If you're thinking of inserts, maybe you should consider new con rods too. The originals are getting pretty old and MANY of them are showing fatigue. Cracks around the top are not uncommon.
As for babbit or inserts, either work well but if you go for inserts, make sure you have good oil filtration.
I run a Burlington shaft with new rods, all inserted and think it is a great setup.

Pete · 08-02-2015, 06:55 PM

Ahhh, I remember Babbette well, she was the one with the monstrous.....Oops, mind wandered..
If it is a street engine either will work fine.

Pete · 08-02-2015, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forever4

Everyone says Babbette is softer and more forgiving.

She was....

Kevin in NJ · 08-02-2015, 07:26 PM

Simple,

Properly done babbit is a protection on your investment. Babbitt gives lots of warning if it is going to fail. As it is failling it takes a long time to really go bad. Usually the crank is not damaged. Properly done babbitt will give you 50,000 or more miles running any speed. Remember it is not the speed that kills babbitt, it is any out of balance condition. That includes timing issues.

Inserts tend to fail quick and hard. They will usually damage the block and the crank.

Properly done by an experienced shop either will do the job and last 50,000 miles.

You get to choose which you prefer.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 08-03-2015, 06:01 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The only issue with using babbitt is that babbitt is known for needing to be adjusted (removing shims from under the caps). My experiences is with a Burlington crankshaft, you cannot remove the rear main cap with the engine in the vehicle. Therefore to adjust the rear main clearance, you must remove the engine from the vehicle. If that means every 5,000 miles you find yourself adjusting the babbitt, then every 5,000 miles you are removing/installing the engine.

George Miller · 08-03-2015, 01:11 PM

My experiences is with a Burlington crankshaft, you cannot remove the rear main cap with the engine in the vehicle.

I have been able to remove the rear main cap, but it is very close.

Patrick L. · 08-03-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forever4

Everyone says Babbette is softer and more forgiving.

Well, I like softer and certainly need forgiving !

Bob Bidonde · 08-04-2015, 08:41 AM

Protect your investment and use modern insert bearings with an oil filtration system. Rod bearings have higher stresses than do crankshaft bearings, so have insert bearings put into the connecting rods too.

Also necessary is a pressure oil feed to the main bearings and connecting rod big end bearings. Splash plus mist oil lubrication is adequate for the piston pin ends of the connecting rods.

08-02-2015, 06:47 PM	#1
carolinamudwalker Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 45	Burlington crank I am planning on using a counterbalanced Burlington crank on an upcoming re build. Babbette or insert bearings ??? What is the current thinking?

08-02-2015, 06:53 PM	#2
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Burlington crank If you're thinking of inserts, maybe you should consider new con rods too. The originals are getting pretty old and MANY of them are showing fatigue. Cracks around the top are not uncommon. As for babbit or inserts, either work well but if you go for inserts, make sure you have good oil filtration. I run a Burlington shaft with new rods, all inserted and think it is a great setup. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

08-02-2015, 06:55 PM	#3
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,407	Re: Burlington crank Ahhh, I remember Babbette well, she was the one with the monstrous.....Oops, mind wandered.. If it is a street engine either will work fine.

08-02-2015, 07:26 PM	#5
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Burlington crank Simple, Properly done babbit is a protection on your investment. Babbitt gives lots of warning if it is going to fail. As it is failling it takes a long time to really go bad. Usually the crank is not damaged. Properly done babbitt will give you 50,000 or more miles running any speed. Remember it is not the speed that kills babbitt, it is any out of balance condition. That includes timing issues. Inserts tend to fail quick and hard. They will usually damage the block and the crank. Properly done by an experienced shop either will do the job and last 50,000 miles. You get to choose which you prefer.

08-03-2015, 06:01 AM	#6
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,508	Re: Burlington crank Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The only issue with using babbitt is that babbitt is known for needing to be adjusted (removing shims from under the caps). My experiences is with a Burlington crankshaft, you cannot remove the rear main cap with the engine in the vehicle. Therefore to adjust the rear main clearance, you must remove the engine from the vehicle. If that means every 5,000 miles you find yourself adjusting the babbitt, then every 5,000 miles you are removing/installing the engine. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

08-03-2015, 01:11 PM	#7
George Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2,975	Re: Burlington crank My experiences is with a Burlington crankshaft, you cannot remove the rear main cap with the engine in the vehicle. I have been able to remove the rear main cap, but it is very close.

08-04-2015, 08:41 AM	#9
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,464	Re: Burlington crank Protect your investment and use modern insert bearings with an oil filtration system. Rod bearings have higher stresses than do crankshaft bearings, so have insert bearings put into the connecting rods too. Also necessary is a pressure oil feed to the main bearings and connecting rod big end bearings. Splash plus mist oil lubrication is adequate for the piston pin ends of the connecting rods. __________________ Bob Bidonde Last edited by Bob Bidonde; 08-04-2015 at 09:00 AM.