'29 Four motor work questions

[pisten-bully]

A fellow named Juris Ramba in Latvia repaired a crankcase half for my '29 Scout, and Juris is now restoring a 1929 Indian Four. He needs some technical questions answered, here's part of his message to me:

"OUR 1929 INDIAN 4 ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION CASE NEEDS LINE BORING. WE HAVE THE BORING MACHINES AND EXPERIENCE IN LINE BORING, BUT THIS INDIAN CASE HAS CERTAIN NUANCES AND I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BEFORE STARTING THE LINE BORING OPERATION. ALSO THE SAME WITH INDIAN 4 RODS. WE HAVE GOT THE SPECIAL ALUMINIUM TIN MATERIAL B 850 FROM WHICH WE ARE GOING TO MACHINE THE INSERT BEARINGS. I GOT THE BASIC SPECIFICATIONS FOR THAT, BUT I AM SHORT OF THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON SPLITTING/CUTTING THE BEARINGS IN HALF BEFORE FITTING THEM AND BORING IN A SPECIAL ROD BORING MACHINE THAT WE HAVE."

If you have the expertise to help him, or know of someone willing to share their knowledge, then send me a message on this forum and I'll pass along his contact info, or vice versa! Thanks!

[PaulCDF]

Harry;
I recall Kevin Flanagan of Reproduction Indian Gauge posting on fb about rebuilding a 4 but I don't recall the year don't think it was a 29.
PS
fb also has: Indian Four Cylinder Club
Other names:
Jim Parker au

Jimmer Seidell likely knows someone

[PRG]

Howdy sir,

Mark Hill. Though much of his reputation is now based on Hendersons, he has an extensive background with Indians having built and ridden a 440 on early Cannon Balls fitted with case squirters as used in Porsche 911 engines. Much knowledge of line boring via his Burco machine.

https://motorcyclecannonball.com/rider/4-mark-hill-2/

[pisten-bully]

Thanks both! I think he's going to start with @PRG's suggestion of Mark Hill and see if Mark will help.

[grease monkey]

Mark does superb work. He rebuilt my Henderson crank. His shop is very busy and he is in business so I would doubt he has the time to communicate at length
in such a situation. On the other hand Kevin Flanagan also has extensive "4" rebuild knowledge and experience which he has generously shared with anyone who cares to read his Facebook posts. Here is a taste of that.



SERVICE SHOT #21, Indian Four connecting rods.

I think this is the Service Shot everyone is waiting for. Many ask, what are you using for the Four connecting rods? Here we go. Don't waste money on Carrillo rods.....a waste of money and an overindulgence in pride. $1200.00 plus dollars, save it for good Tequila, life is short. On my end....getting shorter. The rods pictured in this Shot are Indian Verticle rods, that little motor that didn't fair well. They are the same length as the Four rods, with I beam construction. They are more than strong enough as what you basically have in the Indian Four are four Briggs and Stratton motors coupled together, nothing high performance, nothing exotic. I will save the Carrillo rods for my speed record setting Four on Bonneville.....if I live long enough to build it! As you can see the Verticle rods are a little thinner on the side, but a little thicker on the width. A little less meat on the small end, but remember, all your compression force is (mostly) down, not side to side or on top. The pistons pictured are "Dennis Young" design, I believe, correct me if wrong. The small end and wrist pin size is .624, so the small end bushing has to be reamed a thou. or so for proper clearance. If using stock OEM pistons you will have to ream out a little more, you can see the specs. Both rods pictured have been re-babbitted by Effingham Regrinding in Illinois. They did a beautiful job (couldn't have done better myself), and Dean is a great guy to deal with. The gentleman who did the babbitt on these rods has been with Dean for over 40 years. Instead of me setting up and learning the art of babbitting, let the professionals do it. The Verticle rods don't come with babbitt, as did the Indian Four rods, so Dean will babbitt these for you. He rebabbatted both my original Four rods and the new Verticle rods. Will be moving along slowly on the Four as I would like to get my 37 Ford Panel truck on the road....this summer? See ya'all at the Indian Rally in Chester, Mass. in mid July, will have my 47 sidecar rig there, possibly my 1935 Chief. Another great gathering for the Indian men. Approximately 60 Indians of all varieties attended last year. For more information contact Jim Seidell, not only can he give you information, but can also have your engine built so you can ride to the Rally in the Valley. Ha, your welcome Jim.