VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Babbitt bearing alternative ??

Hello
I'm in the middle of rebuilding my 1931 AE originally 194.
The rear Rod bearing is clearly shot.
I have a few questions . Assuming that they have never been replaced with anything more modern , I'm guessing that they are still Babbitt.
But how do I tell ?
If they are still Babbitt . Is there an alternative bearing I should put instead.
Thanks for your help.

Is there a shell that you can pop out like a modern car, or is there just some soft metal cast into the end of the rod?

When people say it has "babbitt" they generally mean that the babbitt is cast directly into the rod end, as Chevrolet did originally.

Some people machine rods in older engines to accept inserts, as used in modern cars. The bearing material on the inserts is more often than not also babbitt. That leads to confusion. The difference is that inserts can be popped out of the rod when you disassemble the engine.

There are many kinds of babbitt. Generally speaking (and oversimplifying), tin based babbit is good and lead based babbitt is crap. In any event, if you need rods re-babbitted, they should go to a specialist.

If your rod bearing went south you will need to check the crank journal before just putting a rebabbited rod in. If the journal is worn/damaged then it needs to be addressed as well.

Thank you very much fellas .
I appreciate it. They are definitely not inserts ..
Going to check all this things and send it off to a shop.

I just noticed this post after asking a question in your other one. If you are only talking about 1 rod, and especially if your crank pin is good AND standard size, there are lots of old stock reconditioned rods available. I might have one for you in Columbia, MO.

Mike Russell
573 592 1991 work/days
573 864 6539 mobile