Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Could put a bronze bushing in it

That would wear a lot better than babbitt. Good idea.

McMaster-Carr has a good variety.

That might be a bit difficult. It has a lip it sets on the top and a raised stripe going down one side to slot in the gap on the pipe and cap. I do not have any machining tools to duplicate that in a bushing

I have bought plenty of brass from them. Well satisfied with the results.

Babbitt would certainly work fine. No telling how many years it worked before. I don't remember if there is a means to grease or lube that area.

Maybe a flanged sleeve bearing then as that has a lip. As for the raised stripe, is that solely to keep that from rotating in that pipe?

Doesn't seem to be any way to oil it other than just slapping some grease on it. Looks like it was designed to be changed out rather quick and easily if you had a new one premade. I'll probably make 2 to have a spare. Yes I think the stripe is just to keep it from rotating, doesn't really seem like it would matter if it did rotate though

Then a flanged sleeve bearing might work? They also make those in oil impregnated too and could be easy to switch out.

Hmm. That could work if they have the in the correct size to slip in the pipe. And the oil impregnated would be good. I was planning on using the oil impregnated bushings to replace the main bearings on my F&W so I can just order them all together