HANK THE CRANK?

What is the situation with this shop? I had a customer buy a crank for a 400 that made it a 426" a few years ago. I kindawondered about the story behind this place-this guy? You all prob know it- but it was just a legendary name of the hot rod saga to me....If you can please share any history-facts you know? Thanks for humoring me

 

my FED came with a Hank the Crack sticker on the seat pan....but i dunno what it means.
Enlighten me, please.

 

hank bechtloff, been around 40+ yrs his son pretty much runs the business now i think. could stroke just about anything you wanted, got into circle track stuff heavy, i think he does all of nascar's stuff

somebody told me a while back he was having a web site done, maybe do a search on his name

 

Hank the Crank

----- Bart -----

 

[ QUOTE ]
hank bechtloff, been around 40+ yrs his son pretty much runs the business now i think. could stroke just about anything you wanted,

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought one of his crankshafts back in 1970..... It was a 1/4 stroker of a 454 crankshaft. Man, It was expensive.....but it was a very good piece.....

.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Hank The Crank tonight . He was talking about cranks he did for Carroll Shelby , John Delorean back in the 60's. His price back then was $1000 now try $3500

 

Hank the Crank/CT Strokers was just up the street from me, growing up in Sun Valley. Used to go there and ogle at the CT OHV flattie in the window and maybe buy a sticker or two. We used to send our cranks to Hank until we found out he was subbing them out to another grinder called Crankshaft Grinding in North Hollywood. I think he was only interested in the trick stuff and sent the mundane stuff to Richard at CS Grinding

 

Hank has been in poor health due to a severe heart condition for many years. His son Scott was running the business and finally decided that he could not make a decent living at it. He closed the doors several years ago but still retains all the rights to the names and logo's.

 

I approve this thread.

 

Sad to hear Hank has left ..http://www.network54.com/Forum/7418...nk+"The+Crank"+Bechtloff+has+passed...

 

Bump. Another legend gone. RIP Mr. Bechtloff.

 

http://www.hotrod.com/features/history/1531-hank-the-crank-bechtloff/