When I started the big inch flatty in my sedan with the new Volvo box, due to a tolerance stack error I burnt up the rear main and the crank thrust face. In this mini series of videos, I will attempt to weld up the damaged thrust face, and I will then build up a pair of bearings and machine them to suit the crank. Will it work? I honestly don't know, but I'm prepared to give it a go.
It's always fun hanging about in the shop with you, Mart. I'm anxious to see how all of this plays out. Good luck.
You got me curious Mart. The crankshaft thrust face build up makes sense. There is a fair m*** in the crank, and welding on the flange (I'm guessing) will not impart enough heat to warp the crank alignment. The bearing shells worry me though. Being so thin, I'd imagine they would end up like a pretzel after laying down enough metal to refinish the thrust surface. Easy to machine down the thrust (and non-thrust) faces, but I wonder if the actual bearing face would continue to be true? Mebbe laying down another round of material on the crank, and using normal bearings would be the solution, In any case, I love the idea of reclaiming the pieces. It's the anthesis of modern "throw it away and bolt in a new one" culture. Itching to see how part 2 goes. Cheers, Harv
My vote is YES it will work fine on a forged crank . Let it cool at its own rate machine it as needed to specs , to match the bearing , good to go . Good luck , Mate
Crank shaft grinder shops that are set up to weld up cranks that are damaged can do the thrust area. I have had it done several times
Yep. I worked as a crank grinder in a engine machine shop for quite a few years back in a former life. We welded both journals and thrust surfaces on a daily basis by submerged arc. No problemo on a steel crank. We even did on cast cranks, but you could see surface checking after it was reground.
The Jalopy Journal
