[T3] '69 rear support bushings...

["Redfan Buckreezy" <ftalker@hotmail.com>]

<x-flowed>Hi there,
I am in the throes of an engine rebuild and thought that I would replace the 
rear support bushings with either "better than mine" , or (as Berg 
suggests), solid aluminum blocks turned to fit to original specs.  But, as 
usual, I cannot seem to find either the original "heights" for these or any 
specs whatsoever.  Anyone have either some good ones or the specs for me to 
turn them on my lathe?

Also, in reference to the gauge comments in the last T-3 letters...I have 
run a plethora of these on many aircooleds over the years and their accuracy 
while dependent on the the installer and the manufacturer can certainly 
vary, it is  important to remember that while temperatures and pressures may 
well be off by some points from a scientific standard, they nonetheless can 
help establish a benchmark for normalcy; a range of what is to be expected 
at various periods of weather, altitude, seasons and speeds, so that 
extremes can be signs to warrant closer investigation.  While sounds are 
invaluable to the driver, they don't tell the whole story.
I had a recent experience with this... ending in this rebuild.  The engine 
"sounded" great and pulled well and a variety of speeds.  But, without 
gauges, I'd have been hard pressed to know that my oil pressure (the norms I 
had determined from years of watching the dials), were in precipitous, 
albeit gradual, decline.  Ultimately, the number four bearing dissolved on a 
hard climb and the sounds very certainly changed.   But, had I really 
investigated what the gauges had told me for some months, I would have saved 
a stroker crank and case, not to mention the time and expense for the 
rebuild.  Gauges work, but only as well as they are installed and tracked, 
indeed, believed.   I won't make the same mistake again.   I will believe 
what I see and not assume that even with 80K , heh, I rebuilt this, taken 
close care of it it "should" get another 20K at least...yeah, or not.
Frank Meek


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