Re: V12 Engine rebuild advice

Posted by Tim Cole On 2012/4/17 20:47:38

Hi riki:

Thanks for the note. Yes Dale does make the shells and then puts a bearing surface onto them. And if you can do the same, well, that is very impressive. .010-.055 is supposed to be optimal. Rebabbiting old shells never worked. As for the shell itself, don't forget to engineer proper crush into the fit.

I might call EGGE Machine first and inquire. I know there are tons of V-12's running around with babbited rods because until Dale that was the only choice. If you drive a medium diesel truck the power curve is a lot like the V-12. So they started putting the diesel babbit into the rods.

However, I do know that some of those babbit jobs have racked up impressive mileages. 60,000 on one and counting. Given how expensive the V-12 twelve is I would be inclined to stick with what you have. Especially if the work was done by a reputable outfit.

You could also call one of the V-12 authorities out there like Dennis Sobieski and ask for his opinion.

I'm sure there is somebody out there who could reweld your rods to accept a modern insert bearing, but if you are not planning on doing quarter miles at the drag strip maybe it isn't worth it.

I would try Dennis. There is a also a shop in the Harrisburg PA area that has been using babbited rods for years. What you are looking for first is some good data otherwise you can't make a decision you can live with.

How's that?