Babbit vs insert bearings in Ford Model A engine

What is the difference between "babbit" and "inserts"? Today, Willie Baechler from Baechler Machine Shop in San Andreas, California tells us. Willie also discusses the pros and cons of each.

"I AM the Warranty"

#paulshinn

[quailstudios]

0:00 Intro
0:39 Willie Baechler
11:38 rods
13:00 balancing rods
16:42 crush
18:35 babbit longevity
19:53 insert bearing longevity
20:18 oil changes
21:23 where to get inserts
22:17 engines
24:14 end

[mandolinman]

I love your machinist guy. Knowledgeable and hilarious. I loved the reaction when he saw the engines in the back of your truck.

[MrMillertime]

Thank you for taking time to educate us along the journey of antique car ownership. It is always interesting and I am so glad that companies are making upgrades. The knowledge of rebuilding babbitt bearings is a rare thing these days. Have a good day and I look forward to the next informational session.

[AstraWerke]

Great bit of insight - also nice to have someone finally giving an answer to what lasts how long.
I also heard that the hardening and fatigue process increases the thicker the babbitt layer is (i.e. the more undersize your crank is ground).
The thicker babbitt acts more like a spring, thus moving about much more and getting brittle much quicker.

[paulhamer]

Another great video with Willie. I am in the middle of converting my 1929 to insert bearings and WIllie was very kind to take the time to talk to me and my friend about how to properly set up for the line boring. Love to meet you both some day.

[Wooley]

Very interesting Indepth information. I believe Babbit bearings are still used in ships.

[GoCorvette]

Thanks again for a great video. Have fun with those engines, Mike

[scortia]

Wow. Yea I'd say insert is good insurance of a long lasting motor. Seems like babbitt is like running on borrowed time. Plus for how much an engine rebuild is it's a safe and long lasting decision. I'd rather see that all day than a hot rodded A. Ugh when I see that I feel like Henry Ford is spinning like a rotisserie chicken in his grave. Again awesome video paul.

[dennishutchinson]

Loved this! Very informative. A video on different bearing failure modes would be interesting along with what a normal bearing would look like after say 70 to 100K miles should look like. 👍👍👍👍😊. Just a thought.

[mattpowers]

Excellent video, Paul. I learned a lot as I always do from you! Keep up the good work!

[craigroberts]

Thank you. So, an indoor freeflight guy too?? What don't you do?? Spent a few years casting bullets and it sure does look a lot like the bearings in a Model A. Mine is leaking a lot from the rear main and I'm afraid will need some work soon. Insert bearings seem to be the way to go so my kids don't have to rebuild it in their lifetime when I'm gone and they are the caretakers.

[flintknappingtools]

Im about to become an owner of a Model A that has been in the family for decades…how would i find a qualified machine shop in western PA that would have the knowledge to do the insert bearings on such a motor? Thanks for any help!!!

[pablo]

Muy bueno, pero favor pueden activar la opción subtitulos, traducción, en mi caso soy argentino y somos muchos los que tenemos modelos A & T, gracias

[PeopleAlreadyDidThis]

In addition to Babbitt beating out from impact loads, the thick layer of bearing material isn’t great at conducting heat into the block. Babbitt was fine for low-speed engines, but as RPM ranges (and power) increased, Babbitt bearings were more likely to “burn out.” Steel-backed precision inserts conduct heat out of the journal far better because the Babbitt layer is so thin. They also stand a better chance of operating with full-film lubrication because of their precision, unlike hand scraped or fitted poured Babbitt. That also reduces heat buildup.

I recall my dad, born in 1921 and in the automotive business all his life, talking about engines being utterly worn out at 20, 000 miles.

[oldarkie]

Great. I have 2 questions.1) How does an oil filter work if the engine has no oil pump ? (splash oiling) 2) Is that later version of the engine not pressure oiling with oil pump (model C engine)? Please make a video on that subject, The model C engine with pressure oiling.

[craigweis]

Opening line... A little chuckle ... the "Model 'A' motor " ... motors are electric. Engines are internal combustion [except steam locomotives] ... so "Model 'A' engine".

Side Bar: R/C model airplane engines, like the 0.90 cuin Rossi's were ABC Aluminum-Brass-Chrome good for 14, 000+ rpm at almost one horsepower. Chrome made it hard and wear resistant.
Piston so tight in the bore it almost can't be turned over by hand until broke in.

Work hardened and splattered at 68, 000 miles ... like work hardened rail road tracks? Add another 10 ton to each car on a 100 car coal train and the rails will fracture and cause a derailment.