"My question is do I really need babbit mains or can I use regular mains? I see non babbit mains for sale, and to me they would be better. "
"I think Tuley was more concerned about any machining process needed on the main bearings as per rods."
Machining needed ON the main bearings?
My guess is that Tuley has learned that it is prudent to have all bearing surfaces checked and turned, if needed (a good machine shop should check them every time and let the customer know the conditions). After grinding/turning (and then polishing) the crank bearing surfaces on the crankshaft (rod bearing surface and main bearing surfaces), new rods with integral rod bearings are needed, and new insert main bearings are needed. All these bearing surfaces were made of babbitt material (on a 216).
Can anyone post a part number for "non-babbitt mains" and "regular mains" for a 216 engine? It has been 38 years since I rebuilt a 216 and I do not even pretend that I remember very much (but I dimly recall messing around with plastigage).
