this was a time of worry and anticipation.
Klinkelaar soon indicated the rods could be reused with re-Babbitting.
The crankshaft was another issue. “We did a magnaflux test,” Klinkelaar
said. “Found a line in the crankshaft. Could have been made that way.
We’ll do another test to see if the piece is balanced. That will be the final
sign.” He explained how magnafluxing used magnetic particles and dye
to expose imperfections unable to be seen by the eye. Later,
Klinkelaarrevealed the news. “It’s OK, I think, as long as it doesn’t get
run too hard or fast,” which hardly would be the case for such an old
vehicle. “I really think it was made with the imperfection.”
When the engine was disassembled, parts were examined, labeled
and placed in close proximity to each other on the floor.I asked, “How did the experts at IHC test a crankshaft in 1915?”
Klinkelaar noted, “They hit it with a hammer and it made a good,
pinging sound. I did it the same way, and it sounds fine. Let’s gently
recondition as needed and you can reassemble the engine.” He also had
to pour and bore a main bearing, which was nearly 65 percent of the
total payment to his shop.
Eventually, it was determined that the cause of the ruined Babbitts