i found a used Kent-Moore U1-C main bearing boring machine in the original wood box with all the parts in very good shape. is this worth buying and doing my own bearings or would i be money ahead having a machine shop with newer technology do it and surpassed the quality of this 1930's factory equipment. have pic's if someone wants to see it. rjmc1967@yahoo.com

ron

The Kent Moore equipment was what was used soon after the vehicles were built. If you can find someone that can do a first class job of rebabbitting the shells then I don't see why the KM tools will not do the job. That is if the instruction and setup directions are included.

Is it for a three main bearing engine or a four main bearing.?
Or is it some kind of universal tool for all mains of different sizes?

the brochure said 4 & 6.
had multiples of 3 tools, don't know what they do though

From that I would aasume it would be for the small journal 1929-1931 engines. as far as 6 Cyl. go.

If you do buy and use that line borer do not forget to use the bell housing you intend to use as the center of your cuts in the bearing shells. They were not all the same. The older engines were not centered on the engine casting but on the centerline of the bell housing as it relates to the engine. The other end was determined by the backlash of the cam shaft to crank shaft relationship. Check your owners manual for details. Good luck with your project.

I may have one of those also...maybe for sale. Thought it could be used on my 37 but as you state, I think it is for earlier engines

Ron,
If you have the necessary measuring equipment and knowledge to set up the machine then it may prove to be a good experience. Of course you have to find someone to pour the babbitt or buy semi-shells already done. If you are not comfortable with precision machine work then farming out to someone else is probably your best option.