I'd suggest putting in a new set of main bearings. The damage to the rear main- - - -it is in the bearing, not the cap, right? Bearings come in sets. It's not possible to buy half a bearing, and it's highly unlikely you can buy single pairs of bearings. About the only way a vendor will sell you main bearings will be to buy the whole 4-bearing set. It's pretty simple to roll the upper bearing shells into place, so the safe way is to replace them. I'd reccomend removing the crankshaft, and at least get a machine shop to polish the rod and main journals, if it doesn't need to be reground.
Good luck on finding someone to re-babbit those rods. I don't think that's being done anymore. Federal-Mogul makes a set of insert bearings to replace the babbit in the rods, but the rods will need to be machined to accept the bearings. While the pistons are out, measure the cylinders for taper wear. If the cylinder is tapered more than .005", you'll need to rebore the block and install oversize pistons. Good luck!
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 07/11/2008 6:03 AM.
