ive got a 392 hemi and the crank is stuffed. It has a crack in the rear main journal . I need to get a new one. I dont know if i should spend the money and buy an standard aftermarket one or buy a stroker crank or try my luck again and buy an orginal one. my problem is i live in Western Australia and the freight is a killer. So i only want to do this once. Has anyone had experience with after market hemi cranks good or bad. Thanks in advanve Paul
All stockers were cast I think,aftermarket can be either forged steel or cast I believe.other than that I don't know,but I would try more local.
Negative- all Chrysler Hemi cranks were forged from the factory. Onto the topic at hand. Now is your chance to stroke it and make an even meaner engine for similar money. It's only money and for the cubic inches............ Good Luck, Tim
The only aftermarket cranks are going to be custom made billet ($3000.00), so you could add some cubic inches if going that route. But that will also mean aftermarket rods and custom pistons. Any time I buy or sell a heavy used part such as a crank or heads, I have them magged before they are shipped.
I cant understand why some people make statements on the forum and have no idea what they are talking about. Ago
I cant understand why some people make statements on the forum and have no idea what they are talking about. amen brother i read stuff everyday and cant believe the bs. i could post alot more than i do but dont want to waste my time.
I don't think you can repair a cracked crank with a welder, even if it is capable of welding up the crack of dawn. In the early days of hot rodding there was quite a bit said about welding cranks, but this was on the journals to give them enough meat to allow for a longer stroke. I never thought that was a good idea. You never hear of it anymore tho , , , ,
Folks have been welding up cranks for years!! May not want one with a fixed crack in a high HP deal, but has been done plenty. Some guy over on "HeaderFlames" website has one (or some) for sale. Take care, K
Paul, considering where you live, make sure any used crank get's magna-fluxed before shipping. My suggestion is try and develope a paper trail with a understanding your situation and you insist the crank is inspected and shipped with confirmation of the inspection. Anyone reputable will do this. If I can locate one, I will mag it, mic all journals and thrust, check for straightness, and put it all in writing on company letterhead. I rarely do any early Hemi builds any more so please don't hold your breath on me OK, if by chance I locate one, I'll send you a P.M., all the best, TR
How bad is this crack and exactly where? Is the crank busted or just a surface crack? Got a pic? Lippy
Yeah, more questions need answers as Lippy notes. A crack at the rear main is a bit odd. We really need some most excellent photos, including pics of the crack during the mag inspection. Custom cranks will be expensive as Tom notes. I think that $3k will be on the low end but then consider that a stock piece will be near $1k after grinding and inspection. If you buy a custom crank is there any real chance you would keep the stock dimensions? If you don't get carried away it may be possible to keep your pistons (but only if they are forgings) and just shorten the rods to accomodate the new stroke....but, again, only within certain limits. How about some details on the engine and what you are doing with it? .
My advise is look for a good factory crank. Im assuming Your using this on the street,so a stock crank will more than do the job. We bought 2 used velasco cranks for our project. Sent them all over the country for inspection. Both had small cracks in them. The shop doing the machine work (WAR) Walt Austun Racing said Yea You can use em if You check the crack every run, then change it before it breaks. If Your that lucky. I mentioned weld the cracks, thought it was a normal deal. Turns out its not. You dont weld cracks. Still kinda puzzeled by that but every crank Guy agreed. I got 2 cranks for sale if anyones interested. Would be fine for a street motor. FED
Just some food for thought. I have torn down alot of hemis whos cranks have come back from magnaflux as cracked. But I have never had a hemi with a broken crankshaft. The only true way to know the extent of a crack is to have it x-rayed.
Thanks for the replies This engine is going in a hotrod. So far ive got weiand dual carb manifold with 2competion 600carter carbs, hot heads alumium cyclinder heads, missile rocker gear, an A1 block, steel rods,isky 505 cam, msd igntion, im not worried about spending the money, if its done right.that is why i was asking about after market cranks standard or strocked. I dont have pistons or pushrods just yet. Im building this rod as a keeper(and ive been told no more):-( afriend of mine building the engine for me. he phoned me and told me about the crack, so unfortunatly i dont have any pictures. I was looking for a velasco crank. If i bought an after market crank i would most probly get a stroked one if i could. I will talk to my friend and the machine shop aboutGetting it X rayed. Hey feder how much do you want for the cranks? Thnks paul
HERES WHAT I'D DO HOT HEADS RESEARCH AND RACING (STOCK CRANK) VALESCO 12422 Benedict Ave, Downey, CA 90242-3112 (BILLET) Tel: 562 862 3110 KEITH BLACK http://www.keithblack.com/ (BILLET) ALSO I,D HAVE YOUR BLOCK COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT ALONG WITH YOUR RODS TO MAKE SURE THERE OK BEFORE YOU SPEND THE $ FOR A CRANK. I,D PUT A STOCK STROKE CRANK BACK IN IF IT WAS ME. I,VE HAD 35+ EARLY CHRYSLER ENGINES IN FACT I SOLD A SEMI LOAD TO WALT AND BUCKEY AUSTIN IN WA A FEW TEARS BACK. HE MIGHT SELL YOU ONE ALSO. HERES HIS CONTACT INFO. TELL HIM BOB COWAN IN TN SENT YOU... Walt Austin Racing 5202 184th Street East Tacoma, WA 98446 (253) 847-8221 BOB
The Jalopy Journal
