Tinning cast iron

[1937 Chief]

I want to add babbitt to a cast iron bearing surface. What would be the best approach to doing this. Thanks stan

[Don Young]

About all I know about it is that there are tinning compounds which are pure tin and flux of some sort. Muratic acid flux is commonly used for sheet steel soldering. The problems I have had in tinning steel seem to be getting it clean enough and not dirtying it or overheating it in the process. A really big soldering iron and a wire brush help. If you use a torch you need to have a neutral flame so you don't carbonize or oxidize the work and it is very easy to overheat the solder with the torch. I suspect oil in the pores would be a problem, as well as the free carbon in the iron. As with many things I think all the advice you can get, sorted to suit yourself, and practice will mean success. I myself am curious to learn more about this.

[Bguns]

For model T Ford rod caps. Regular solder/flux is used to tin the caps, so the Babbit sticks.

You want just a very thin film, not enough to add significant lead to babbit.

Everything must be clean... soap and hot water type clean...

If it is a high speed application above ~ 900 rpm or so, babbit should have minimal or no lead content.

Many different grades of babbit..

Lots of preheat needed for babbit pour..

If you are familier with bullet casting, same principles apply, just at a higher temperature... Too cold will not bond, and have a wrinkled look, too hot will have a frosted look.