MTFCA Forum

I have 2 questions. I just pulled the motor out of my 26 touring yesterday. I’ve had it for 20 years and done minor work on it to keep it running but decided it was time to rebuild the engine and transmission. It was last done almost 60 years ago. And by the looks of the magneto it was the right time. So it has ball bearing 4th main and the unjointed housing has been cut for it. Can I go back to Babbitt 4th main? And does anyone know of someone in the Portland Oregon area that has a pan straightening jig?

Tom

Hi Tom, Yes you can go back to the babbitt 4th main, You can check your pan for straight on your own engine, It is always best to do this regardless if you think you have a straight pan. You need to have the engine on a stand to do this. Turn the engine nose down so the transmission is up with the pan installed, you also need to check the runout on the out put shaft and correct before doing this (should be within .003), now is the time to install the 4th main. It should slide into place without any adjustment, adjust the pan until it will slide into place and the bolts align. This will insure that your installation is in fact in alignment and will give your crank shaft the best chance of survival.

John thanks for the help. I put a metal straight edge on my pan and it looks everywhere I check. I’ve attached a photo. Also what’s the width suppose to be from hole to at the mounting arms. This pan is 22” but the frame and old motor are 21.5”.

Tom