<VV> Brass showing

[Padgett]

>  I have decided to just
>replace the rod bearings & not split the case.

Just an observation. Whenever I get a crank back from any work atol, I 
always chase the oil passages with some long pipe cleaners. Sometimes is 
clean but sometimes is a remarkable amount of grit that emerges. Good idea 
to clean the cases and rod passages sparkly as well.

Also when assembling an engine, all rotating surfaces get coated with STP 
just to be sure they do not start dry. It works for me.

Of course I am the type that fills oil filters before installing even if a 
PF-47.

Partly comes from the Westphalia I had many years ago. After a couple of 
years did a full engine rebuild including align bore of the cases. Several 
months of good running the temperature dropped under 30F (was living in 
Texas at the time). Started fine but 30 seconds later it froze solid.

Winched into garage & was evident the mains were scored. Rebuilt again 
using same machine shop. Once again ran fine until temp dropped under 30 & 
froze on startup. Same-same.

By third time it froze tempers were getting heated and lots of finger 
pointing. Turned out the align bore had somehow gotten one main .002" off 
center. At normal temps everything was fine. Cold enough and got metal to 
metal contact on startup.

You learn from mistakes but the process can sure get frustrating.

Padgett