The Steamboating Forum

I have used s/f/l ball races for my crank and big-ends and am now wondering if they could be used for the eccentrics as well. Anyone had experience of that use?

I've found a s/f/l @ 65mm O.D. and 7mm width which seems might be suitable if the I.D of 50mm isn't too small. Not particularly cheap, but then what is, when it comes to boats?

I like the idea that all the bottom end lube will take care of itself.

(s/f/l = sealed for life)

I've used dual thin-line ball bearings on the eccentric for a 2x2.5" high-speed steam engine I built from a refrigeration compressor with excellent results. These were not sealed for life, but open bearings; I gave them a shot of oil now and then and they lasted until the main bearings finally wore out. I bought them surplus for a few dollars apiece. https://www.vxb.com/6810DDU-Bearing-50x ... 810ddu.htm might do rather well.

I used two in my application to resist the slightly non-planer motion; if your linkage assures in-plane motion one bearing should suffice.

- Bart

I've been using 330 bronze for eccentrics and steel straps on two different engines with high load D-valves and have had no issues at all. There is a grease fitting on each strap, just give em a shot occasionally.

Yeah those big Krydon bearings are expensive.

Bart, I would be careful with VXB, they have no quality control at all. I've purchased about 20,000 bearings from them over the years and stopped about four years ago, will not buy from them now. Races were fracturing for no reason, obvious ''monkey metal''. Coupled with poor tolerances, varying 2 or 3 thousandths ID OD spec. I use Bearing Direct now, a little more money but much better bearings overall.

Ron

My Strath Warrego has sealed ball bearings for the eccentrics as well as for the mains. Zero hassles. This is for a piston valve.

I'm away from home for a week but can get the part numbers when I get back.

Mike

DetroiTug wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 5:04 pm Bart, I would be careful with VXB, they have no quality control at all. I've purchased about 20,000 bearings from them over the years and stopped about four years ago, will not buy from them now. Races were fracturing for no reason, obvious ''monkey metal''. Coupled with poor tolerances, varying 2 or 3 thousandths ID OD spec. I use Bearing Direct now, a little more money but much better bearings overall.

Thanks for the heads up; I've not bought anything from them. The bearings I used on the eccentric I bought back when there were still interesting 'industrial surplus' stores in the SF Bay area - circa 1988 I think.

- Bart

Bearings bought. Heels cooling, delivery not 'til next week.

Great! The bearings have arrived, much earlier than expected.