After the shaft was seated, shim packs were installed, in very specific groupings. For the sleeve boring operation, the cross box caps were shimmed apart approximately 3/8 inch, just enough to first apply pressure to the bronze sleeves before the shims get squeezed. This assured the sleeves were immobilized in relation to each other, and forced back firmly into the cross box bore holes, some of which are not really pristine! After boring of the cross boxes, these shim packs were removed, then wired together, along with an identifying brass tag. With the shims replaced into their proper positions, the oil clearances of the bearings will not appreciably change.

Photo by Rick Brigger.