MTFCA Forum

Got a couple ingots of Babbitt marked “hard copper “.
From what I am reading that should mean it has high lead content.
These are older ingots, so wonder if they are still the same. Any one have an idea if they are useable for any thing but hammers? Thanks Dan.

It’s a lot of work to pour, bore, and fit an engine, and let’s not forget the effort to assemble the rest and install. Would hate to go thru all that effort just to find out the unknown babbitt was not suitable. My dad had an engine years ago that we had poured lead babbitt in for practice…. Was an endless saga of laying on the floor pulling shims. The motor eventually came out, the bearing material had migrated enough to completely fill all of the oil grooves and holes. Nothin but Grade 2 babbitt since!

Interesting article on babbitt;

https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/babbittgrades.htm

I am not planning on using these for any thing other then hammers. Just was wondering if the standard may have changed in the years.
I use only the original Ford blend for all the engines I do.

I am not planning on using these for any thing other then hammers. Just was wondering if the standard may have changed in the years.
I use only the original Ford blend for all the engines I do.

Sorry for double post. Fat fingers

Babbitt really isn’t great for hammers. It’s a little too hard and also chips and cracks & doesn’t “move around” well when it gets beaten like a lead hammer head does. I have cast a few and they aren’t real good compared to lead.

As far as babbitt is concerned, if you could get an assay of your ingots and know for sure what their composition is then they are usable (for the proper application). An assay generally should cost around $100. Don’t forget, there are / have been LOTS of old ingot molds around and what is on your ingots may not be accurate.

These are stamped in the ingot not cast.
I have no problem with Babbitt hammers.
Guess my scrap Babbitt is junker that most.
It is all out of Tmain bearings and rods. Also some 4th main.

All very interesting, thanks for sharing. Here's some technical data on B23. Interesting also that the yield strengths drop by roughly 50% when the temperature warms form 60 degrees F to 212 degrees F. https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/1 ... B23-20.pdf jb