Re: Flanged Rod Bearings

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/3/18 10:32:42

Even 40 years ago with a good availability of most Packard parts NOS, these bearings were nearly unfindable and when found, expensive as all heck! Thus the many conversion jobs, some done well and others very poorly, some altering the rod so the now-available bearings can no longer be used.

Some years back there was a SUPERB multi-part article in Cars & Parts by Dale Adams (The Restoration Notebook) about a detailed step-by-step rebuild of a Packard Twelve. It's about 19 pages (I think I'm missing the last installment on assembly and painting), and a great primer for anyone contemplating any kind of engine work, or for anyone interested in the intricacies of the Packard Twelve. It goes into considerable detail on measurements and how to measure, bottom end, piston issues, harmonic balancer rebuilding, valve work, hydraulic silencer rebuilding, etc. In one part the author concludes he must make his own flanged rod bearings and sets up to form the shells and make the bearing coating. He choose the later bearing style (bronze backed steel, intro in 38 I believe) which at the time of intro also required the crank to be hard chromed because the bearing is less able to imbed grit than the former steel-backed babbitt shells. In any case reading of how he made the hydraulic dies to form the flanged shells and provide the bearing coating (he used salt-immersion brazing) makes just great reading. I'd say it's almost a MUST READ for anyone doing any kind of engine rebuild, whether Twelve or not. I'm sure it's covered by copyright but PM me if you have interest. Back issues of Cars & Parts are probably not too hard to find.

(EDIT- I will contact Cars & Parts and see if we can get permission to republish the series on this website).