stock49; Thanks for the reply!
I have been mic'ing the shims and I am getting the sneaky suspicion that they were just part of some standard "shim pack" that was sent with the main bearings. (my shim set is approximately .006"-.008" each, only 4 shims, no laminations -thus maybe they were made for latter 1953+ Full_pressure 235's ?).
Looks like over the many years since that engine was made, all kinds of aftermarket bearings were produced to fit those crankshafts. I think the last re-builder just put the
shim pack in that was sent with the main bearings: or maybe they were the precise shims needed to get the proper oil clearance?
Oh well, I found a cheap (but really dirty) set of NOS Clevite .010 main bearings that need a good cleaning, but the babbitt lining looks good and they match all the old shells. Replacing these bearing should let me start over with any new "shimming".
I wonder if I should get some .002" shim stock ,cut my own shims, then use the shop manual method of setting the "feel" of the crankshaft to bearing fit.
Anyone know if Brass 260 shim stock (like at McMaster Carr) is better or worse than the modern plastics, bronze, etc shim stock offered ?
http://www.mcmaster.com/#shim-stock/=hs3nizIf the Brass shimstock is fine ... is "1/2 Hard Temper" correct ?
