1950 B

[b_board]

Can babbitted bearing connecting rods be fitted with insert type bearings on a 1950 John Deere B?

 

[jd b puller]

You can use the rods from a 50. I don"t know what everyone"s fascination with insert rods is though. Babbit rods are very forgiving, and 1/4 the price. With insert rods, the crank has to be right, and in all reality, you should get the rods resized.

 

[b_board]

The babbitt is worn through on one rod and thin on the other rod. I was told the the babbitt is .05 thick after being re-pored and sized at 130$ each. I can buy inserts for 28$ each. I can have a local machinist do the work (if it can be done) at no charge..

 

[Kurt_JDB]

As puller mentioned, the crank might end up being your real problem. With the babbit you can compensate for a worn and eggshaped crank with the shim adjustment. With inserts your crank needs to be bang on. So you are probably looking at turning the crank too. Another thing about babbited bearings is that they can be made to fit your crank. So if it only take .005 to clean the crank up, that"s all you need to do

Just a thought

Kurt

 

[Mike M]

Yes they can. I had a shop do some for me. They still had to use the thick steel shim but not the whole shim pack to make it the right size.

This was done by Center Automotive in Akron Ohio. They must of done them before as it was thier suggestion.

 

[gtx1967jewison]

The babbitt will last longer, all else being equal (good crank surface)