Hi KidNV,
Thanks for posting your source list again.
What would really help is having folks actually state where they were successful
at getting the bearings they need. Very frustrating to have to shop the nation to put together mismatched brands/sets of bearings. If you can get them at all.

I got onto one of the sites, I believe it was Regal, and into an automated parts finder, but not a single one of my part numbers responded, even stuff I'm sure they would normally have like guides. It occurs to me that I need to interchange my numbers if I'm going to get anywhere. Is there an online Cat interchange listing?

I also faxed an inquiry to Motorwarehouse, havn't yet heard anything back yet.

Jack

Jack, to find the automatic cross numbers on Regal, you have to have the regallink account set up. But even they dont show them all.

As far as motorwarehouse, if you faxed before you talked to them, they probably wont answer, as they normally dont sell to the individual, they sell to parts houses. That's why there is explicit contact verbage info provided by the owner, in that list. Call, and if you dont get the right answers, ask for the boss himself,, but you have to identify as part of the group listed. Once you have called, any further info faxed would be recognized.

The only other cross# info, is in books like Ozdozer has, or CAT fische/SIS etc. Call cat and cross the numbers, then go to oiur sources with the info.

i phoned the local bearing store and they took the cat number and changed it to a timken number. then they didn't have one at 4:30 friday, so maybe tuesday which willbe wednesday for me (the bearing race is travelling 1200 km from the south).
so i phoned the brother in-law and asked if he had one since he has cats and the unmber is used else where. he didn't but phoned the cat dealer and asked them to get the bearing on the bus tonight. so in one day i should have the bearing race. lot better then 5 days. plus i got his business dissount too.

thansk

also when i phone for parts, i uses my handle and when they know it if for the KING OF OBSOLETE, they know they will be doing some cross referanceing. lot of the guys i deal with know that these are 50 year old part numbers but the bearing are used today somewhere else. most parts men give up when you tell them the age.

thansk

KidNV,
Motorwarehouse did have my fax on the table when I phoned day after. Those guys are great as service goes, answering questions, making suggestions, but the set of mains they had went out a day before I sent the inquiry. The bearings went to a Cat dealer shop. They can't find them either. I'd keep Motorwarehouse at the top of the parts supplier list, they were good to talk with.

KoO,
You're absolutely right about the youngsters at the parts counters. Most of the places I've called ask first for a sequencing number, something not yet discovered in 1947, and can't believe that the bearings would be ordered by serial number & part number. Thus, I can't be sure whether they really don't have them or just don't know how to find them. In this case, I believe they gave it a good try or asked an old timer, but still no bearings.

To anybody:
Is it possible that someone might have the actual blueprint dimensions on the Cat inserts? Design dimensions are always better than duplicating measurments from an used insert. Also, what aluminum alloy EXACTLY is it that these bearings were made of and can it be purchased. I'm seriously considering making the boring jigs to produce a set. As soon as I get the milling machine put back together, anyway. Too many loose pieces scattered around my shop.

I've made bearing caps but never bearings. It looks like a big job that I really don't have time for right now, but I'm open to any advice you have. Has anyone done this?

OM, I agree that if someone pins down a source of bearings he ought to let it be known. Our free enterprise system works by swapping value for value, so if someone has bearings to sell they ought to be making sales.

Thanks to all for the help. I'm still looking.

Jack

Hi Jack,
I know you tried before but that "Ram Man" contact is apparently not dead.
I'd try making contact again, for the information, if nothing else. He's the only person I ever saw advertising the relining of old shells.

Just off the top of my head I believe the bearing lining is actually laminations of different materials, not just machined from aluminum, although that may work.

I've never researched it but it would seem out of the 1000's of different bearings manufactured there ought to be something close to what is needed. even if a little trimming is required. There may be interchange and we just don't know it due to these old machines being lost in time. Haven't a clue as to where one might find a "bearing by size" listing.

Good luck with the hunting:)

O.M.

I sent them an email Friday PM. If I don't get some answer tomorrow I'll try the last posted phone number.

Relining was a suggested option put forth by the parts man at Motorwarehouse but I don't know how to do it. The last guy here that babbited Ford T rods is no longer with us. The parts man reminded me that a bunch of Wisconsin and B&S engines run with babbited alloy rods so it might be possible.

Of course this engine isn't going to be a parade queen. I'm going to count on it for about 500 gallon of fry oil converted to electricity each year. Not a huge lot of running but figuring about 80% power when it is running. I don't want to cut too many corners.

If I come up with any info of value I'll you can bet I'll post it.

Jack;)