May 31 Update - OX-5

Finally, the babbitt for the OX-5 was completed along with the other work I had done.  Hart's Machine Shop in Cecil, Ohio - who have done the babbitt work on about 12 other OX-5's did the work.  I went last Friday with my pals Mark and Drew.  13 hours in a car meant lots of talk about engines, hot rods, airplanes, mini-bikes - you name it.  We had a great time.  Hart's is an excellent shop, highly recommended, but S-L-O-W!!  Just don't be in a hurry.  My work took 8 months.  Here is what I had done:

1.  The bearings in the rods were re-babbitted.  The originals were OK by size, but some were cracked and/or had chunks missing.

2.  I had bushings installed in the small ends to allow for a full-floating piston pin.  A much better design as the original had the piston pin locked into the rod.  The pistons I had made use a lock ring to hold the pin in the piston to avoid scuffing the cylinder walls.  A typical automotive set-up.

3.  The main bearings and line-bore were checked.  Believe it or not, all the mains were in perfect condition and still had .0015" clearance.  So, nothing was done.  Hard to believe with nearly 100 year old bearings.  I asked if they had any concern with the babbitt being that old, and in their experience with other engines and very old babbitt, they felt very confident in leaving it alone.

Here's some pictures...

All 8 rods ready to go

Close-up of new babbitt after machining to size

Bushed small end with new piston pin

Everything is ready to build up the lower end of the engine, but I'll probably wait a while.  I would like to have everything ready to go and still need to get some misc. nickel plating done on the rocker arms, etc.

I've also got a lot done on the N-struts.  About all I have yet to complete are the diagonals.  When everything is done, I'll submit a post,maybe in a week or two - stay tuned - the saga continues!!