Looks like the bearing supplied by Novak, made in Japan. Japan prolly makes the best steel in the worldThe T90 front seal kit that I purchased in February from Sal / Vintagerjeeper includes this SKF (Japan) / "SKF Explorer"-series sealed bearing:
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I've been frequently visiting your posts on this crossmember swap, and have come to the point in my own project where I am at the reassembly phase. Could you share a more detailed post of the AN 7 bolts you used and where you were able to purchase them? Specifically looking to see the length of the bolts you used, whether they were smooth shank or fully threaded. Did you use lock washers and or red Loctite and also how many ooga doogas did you torque to? This swap was a clear challenge for me as the rivets were a bear to get removed on the bottom of both sides of the crossmember where they passed through multiple layers of steel. I certainly have a greater understanding of why they riveted these, rather than bolting them when they were produced. Ugh!View attachment 173620
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Made some progress
Using 3/8 bolts where the rivets were I was able to get my dimensions I took before disassembly.
Tighten them down, then I removed one bolt at a time, step drilled up to 7/16 slip fit using AN 7 bolts with proper grip.
Torqueed up then had my buddy weld up the edges like the factory.
Very, very helpful for me...thanks for taking the time to share your experience and for making the original post showing your process. This has been a great reference for me and gave me the courage to give it a try. It has turned out to be a very satisfying swap making a virtually rust free frame into something that will give my L226 a nice place to perch for the next 70 years!@dekeeb
You can purchase AN bolts and nuts from many aircraft related businesses but I found a race car builder supplier that has a very detailed list of the bolts and nuts called Pegasus racing supply
Airframe (AN) Bolts - Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies
Come check out our Airframe (AN) Bolts at Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies!www.pegasusautoracing.com
The AN bolts have a shank, I selected bolt lengths based on the thickness of the frame where they were being installed so there was no threads in the frame and used washers if needed. I did torque them using a general bolt/thread size chart.
I selected the bolt diameter based on the hole size to keep the fit to a slip or approximately 001-.002 interference, in most cases I had to go up to the next size by step drilling. I used a set of ball gauges and a mic to check the hole diameter.
I also used AN self locking nut (no loctite) and added the torque drag to the total torque.
As you have realized using rivets is a simpler less time consuming and more economical process.
but
If using bolts it can be a better and stronger solution provided they are installed properly.
Take your time time and treat each hole like a virgin
Also worth noting is I setup the frame on adjustable trailer jacks so as to keep the frame square prior to the disassembly.
Willys also provides asymmetric measurements , believe I found them in the service manual, to check the frame
Yes indeed, the journey is half of the fun of the destination and sometimes moreVery, very helpful for me...thanks for taking the time to share your experience and for making the original post showing your process. This has been a great reference for me and gave me the courage to give it a try. It has turned out to be a very satisfying swap making a virtually rust free frame into something that will give my L226 a nice place to perch for the next 70 years!


The shop is a one man operation, he’s been working there since 1973I’m amazed the machine shop returned your block/head in only 2 months?
This must be their slow period.
Good for you.
He probably started there right out of HS Machine Trades.The shop is a one man operation, he’s been working there since 1973
When the business went on the market in the mid eighties he bought it. Now he’s trying to sell it.
He prefers to just do the machine work, so he pushed mine out quickly.
He has many engines in work.
There are so few shops around
Go to the high side .014 is good, to wide and all that goes wrong is...................... click- click -click at idle, but if to tight you burn a valve and off comes the head... a lot to loose do to a bad adjustment...PhilWell finally began the engine assembly
Lapped the valves, installed the lifters, springs, cam and valves.
Set the lash initially at .014 as per the Willy’s manual
I have read that the clearance should be between .012-.016, they said as close to .012
What do you guys recommend?
Thank you, very simpleGo to the high side .014 is good, to wide and all that goes wrong is...................... click- click -click at idle, but if to tight you burn a valve and off comes the head... a lot to loose do to a bad adjustment...Phil