My crank is done!!

DanM · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 12:19 PM

Hi Guys,

I just got my crankshaft back today (351W stock). Had it magnafluxed and turned. The shop had to turn it 20/20 to get rid of some of the scoring that was on it. Here's some pics of the finished crank. I know it's nothing special, you guys have probably seen a million, but hey, it's my first and I'm happy. :-)

On a related note - it's going to be at least several months before the engine gets built, so this is going to sit in the box. Is there anything I should do so that it doesn't corrode while it's sitting? All the machined journal surfaces are oiled.... is that good enough?

brainsboy · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 12:39 PM

I dont know where you live but here in Florida I have to keep my parts inside or they rust up fast because of the humidity. I would keep it inside and keep it in the plastic bad so it doesnt get full of dirt. Any parts you touched with your fingers to see how smooth the finish was I would re-oil to make sure rust doesnt creep in spots in the weeks to come. Put it in a spot it wont get scratched. I wrap mine with towels.

trularin · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 12:44 PM

Plastic bag is good. Grease on the entire assembly may be messy, but it will last the winter and not rust.

Paint it with grease.

SFfiredog · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 01:03 PM

did you notice the big crack in the 2nd photo?

Just kidding

--Mike

DanM · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFfiredog

did you notice the big crack in the 2nd photo?

Just kidding

--Mike

You're a giant asshole. That freaked me out.

Thanks for the quick replys, guys. I did touch a few of the surfaces to see how smooth it was, and wiped a couple clean for the pics. I re-oiled those.

It's pretty humid here right now (Southwestern Ontario, great lakes...). I'll wrap it in plastic, leave it in the box, and bring it inside to store it. I'll make sure I oil all the journals well. Should I oil the WHOLE thing? Even if I'm going to wrap it in plastic and bring it inside?

Dan

brainsboy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 01:38 PM

Dont you hate it when someone calls you a giant

lol

blykins · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 01:43 PM

DanM, I kept my crank for probably 6 months before my engine was built. In between mic'ing and test fits, I would re-oil the whole thing with fogging oil. It keeps a good white film on it....hard for moisture to get at it anywhere. Keep it in the plastic bag inside too.

HighPlainsDrifter · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 02:12 PM

Dan,
Looks good, but here's a tip for cranks........
You should store it standing up on end, do not leave it laying down on it's side.
Perry.

DanM · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 02:27 PM

Thanks guys. Why standing up? Do they 'sag'?

What type of oil/grease is best? Or does it really matter so long as I coat it well?

DAVID GAGNARD · #10 (**permalink**) 08-04-2004, 05:05 AM

Dan;

I agree with Perry,stand it on it's end once oiled and keep it in the house,a closet out of the way will do..... I forget the name of the stuff,but it is in a spray can and it is white lithium grease,spray it on the whole crank and it leaves a nice white film of grease on everything it is sprayed on and protects it.......when you are ready to install it,give the crank a good bath in solvent and blow dry everything with compress air,especially the oil holes.......

David

trularin · #11 (**permalink**) 08-04-2004, 05:13 AM

That's the stuff. White grease, spray the entire assembly. Then place a bag over it and don't let any one else play with it. Standing on end is how I used to store cranks, but if it was returned to you in a cradle, then use the cradle ( box with supports at each main with felt lining each support ).

Another thing we used to to do was ring the crank with a small jewelers hammer. If it didn't ring, we believed something was wrong. Stand the crank on end and tap the counter weight with a very small hammer, see if it rings.

Hey, what else are you gonna do with some 30 year old superstition?

One more thing; sleeping with it is over the edge. If you find yourself getting up in the middle of the night to look at it and it ends up in bed with you, you need to get a life.

DanM · #12 (**permalink**) 08-04-2004, 06:02 AM

Hey! How'd you know that I tried to sleep with it?? I asked the Misses to sleep in the closet so that I could spend some time with the crank ... she refused and was being quite unreasonable!!

Alright, I spray it down. What type of solvent do you use to clean it off later? Anything petroleum-based? Like an engine degreaser?

blykins · #13 (**permalink**) 08-04-2004, 06:15 AM

Hey Tru.....I think only forged cranks ring.....cast ones make a thud when you hit them.....don't ask me how I know this.....

DAVID GAGNARD · #14 (**permalink**) 08-04-2004, 08:23 AM

Dan;

I have a big parts washer in my shop,so that's what I use..... You could use a five gallon bucket and some solvent or even gasoline and a soft brush to clean it up......

Another thing I do (told to me by an old airplane mechanic years ago) is once it is cleaned and dry,just before you are ready to install it in the block is give it a good dose of ether (starting fluid) over the entire crank (or any other parts),his reasons are that the starting fluid will disovle any grease and/or finger prints and most anything that could have been missed and then it evaporates leaving the surface nice and clean....

It is just an extra step I do and is pretty cheap..... I shoot some into all the oil holes in the crank and use it on my rods and pistons also before installing them.....

David