Babbitt Bearings

By Staff
Published on December 1, 1998
1 / 4
This is a rod boring machine, boring a John Deere connecting rod.
This is a rod boring machine, boring a John Deere connecting rod.
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In the upper left corner of this photo is one of the casting fixtures for pouring Babbitt inserts.
In the upper left corner of this photo is one of the casting fixtures for pouring Babbitt inserts.
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A 1 horsepower Economy engine being line bored to fit the crank main bearings.
A 1 horsepower Economy engine being line bored to fit the crank main bearings.
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This photo shows the align-boring machine boring out the main borings on a 20 HP Reid engine.
This photo shows the align-boring machine boring out the main borings on a 20 HP Reid engine.

West Virginia Sent to us by Bob StalnakerRoute l, Box 63 States
Mill, West Virginia 25279

This is a story about Babbitt bearings. In my travels about the
country, mostly on the East Coast, I try to take in as any engine
shows as possible.

A lot of people that I meet talk about restoring these wonderful
old gas engines, and how parts and services are getting harder to
come by.

One of the questions frequently asked is, where you can find
someone who will pour Babbitt bearings or have a large bearing
made. I did find one place that will pour bearings in anything from
a corn Sheller bearing up to a large Reid oil field engine.

Roberts Bearing Service, located near Ripley, West Virginia, is
dedicated to the antique power field. A two-man shop located in
Jackson County on a small paved country road, they will do bearing
work on all types of machinery, such as steam engines, pumps, gas
engines, compressors, saw mandrels or just about anything that used
antique power.

They are also working on a small foundry, so they can cast rod
and main bearing caps and other parts for our toys.

If anyone out there has a bearing problem, I am sure these guys
can help. Here is the address of the shop: Roberts Bearing Service,
Ripley, West Virginia 25279.

The owner says that he likes to talk about engines all the time,
so give him a call at 304-372-4136. He’ll be glad to hear from
you.

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