babbitt

Posted by Steve Ross on August 13, 1998 at 08:30:20

I have been doing research for my site http://users.michiana.org/rosss/modela.htm on Ford babbitt. I found the original formula for Ford babbitt was, 86% tin, 7%copper and 7% antimony and it is no longer available. The best babbitt to use is Astm b-23 #11 Babbitt. Its chemical composition is 87 tin, 7% antimony, 6% copper and must be lead free. When I checked about this babbitt. I got varying stories. The babbitt manufacturer where I had been buying my babbitt did not make it and the salesman was suprised to find it listed let alone that it was lead free. He told me his company had never had an order for it. Another alloy company I called said his spec's showed it with lead and he never had sold it. A third company told me what the other two had, everyone uses #2 for engine rebuilding and they too had never had call for it. Most alloy dealers push the #2 for rebuilding because they don't carry #11. I finally have located a supplier who makes an #11 which is lead free. Having checked it out I did find Babbitt #2 is the closest to the Ford spec's that avaible in the U.S. it contains 89% Tin, 3 1/2% copper and 7 1/2% antimony.The #2 babbitt that is pretty much used universally actually is a little softer than what Ford used. Personally I like to use what Ford used if possible so I will start using the #11. What I'd like to know is there anyone out there currently using the #11 babbitt and what are your experiences. Thanks
Rebuilding the Model "A" engine the Ford way