MTFCA Forum

I'm working to pour new Babbitt in a 13 block, but the first and second main caps have thrust on them, which seems odd as compared to all the other engines I've done. Honestly, this will be the oldest engine I've done. I'm used to seeing thrust only on the third bearing cap. Is this normal or is this a home-brew modification that someone did over the years (see pic)?

Thanks, TT

Early front and center caps have babbitt on the ends like your picture. The only thrust is on the rear cap. Simply face off the Babbitt on #1 and #2 caps to be flush with the main saddles. If you remove the caps and lay a crank in the block, you will find there is ample side clearance.

Thanks Dan. I'm assuming the caps can be replaced with later model caps, which appear to a stronger in design. Thoughts?

R/TT

Yes as Dan has stated.
They are the caps that Dodge supplied until Ford started casting his own in about 1914, they are found in Canadian blocks even in 1916. Any cap that falls short of the length of the block saddle should be cast as dodge did to have full bearing to journal cover.

If you don't value keeping the inside of the engine as originally built at the factory, using later style caps will resulting a more robust bearing job as the Babbitt is much thinner in the later caps and the thinner Babbitt layer is much less prone to metal fatigue and the tendency to pound out.

Thanks for your input Dan. I wasn't aware of the thicker babbit.

You only want thrust to be taken on one bearing, which allows for block and cranshaft differential expansion under heat.