Crank options-machine shop, reman, or new

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pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
9,127
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Elderton, Pa
After getting the crank out of what to of been a protective wrap I found surface rust on the journals (posted in "What did you...") Now after thinking about what to do as said in the post title. Cost is the main factor, not sure what it would cost to polish the journals or since it is used to cut .0010 & get matched bearings. I could core one of the bad cranks to get a reman (O'Reilly's cost $148 + I get 10% vet discount & have $10 off coupon) as another option. Jegs has A Scat for $189, an Eagle for $190 (as does Summit) & the I'll use the bearings I have in the parts stash. The only other issue would be the crank had a new pilot bearing installed by the shop when it was OK'ed for use. I'm wondering should I try to remove to reuse (not thinking its a good idea) or just get another. I'm not happy over all cause the crank was supposed to be prepped for storage & ended up with rust in the wrong spots. I was wishing to have some OCD issues at this point instead.
 

Ribbedroof

Comic Book Super Hero
Supporting Member
Jan 4, 2009
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Wellston, OK
Be aware that the reman outfits will ship cranks that have been cut .030 if that matters to you

If the pilot was a bronze bushing I wouldn't even try, if it's a roller bearing you MIGHT get it out, but probably not. You can sometimes force either style out hydraulically by packing the cavity with grease and using a tight fitting rod to force it out. Cheap as they are, I'd replace it since I wouldn;t want to have to go back in if it was compromised in any way.
 
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pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
9,127
15,257
113
Elderton, Pa
I know that they can have mismatched journals. I remember back in the Pep Boys days back in the mid '90's selling one that few of the mains matched & the customer still took it.
 

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
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Bring yours in see what they say but no matter what use get it balanced.
 

Sleeperchevy454

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Mar 15, 2017
33
16
8
Illinois
I second turnas statement about the balance.even the companies that claim to sell pre balanced need to be balanced to the weight of your rods and pistons so no matter how ya look at it your going to the machine shop.the money your pay for another crank will pretty much pay for the one you have to be polished up and possibly pay for part of the balance.
 

pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
9,127
15,257
113
Elderton, Pa
I'm going to hit the machine shop Tuesday after work. Wanted to do it Friday but I wasn't the only guy doing a 4 day weekend. Maybe with luck a simple polish & keep everything in spec. The more I've thinking about it balancing a new crank will add to the cost compared to even going .010 under + bearings on what I got. Maybe it is not as bad as I'm thinking as I'm kinda getting an OCD to get this motor done.
 

Sleeperchevy454

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Mar 15, 2017
33
16
8
Illinois
I'm going to hit the machine shop Tuesday after work. Wanted to do it Friday but I wasn't the only guy doing a 4 day weekend. Maybe with luck a simple polish & keep everything in spec. The more I've thinking about it balancing a new crank will add to the cost compared to even going .010 under + bearings on what I got. Maybe it is not as bad as I'm thinking as I'm kinda getting an OCD to get this motor done.
Yeah a good machine shop should be able to polish off the surface rust without really taking anything off I would imagine save a lot of money to put towards a good balance!
 

454GrandPrix

Master Mechanic
Jul 27, 2016
429
818
93
Lehi, Utah
Traditionally, I have always tried to re-use my stock crankshaft whenever I've rebuilt an engine. With a competent machine shop, you'll have no problem with their end result provided the current crank is in good enough condition to be re-used. I'd only buy another crankshaft if the current one cannot be salvaged (ie, it has scoring too deep to be undercut) or if it is for some reason insufficient for your new engine (ie, it is a cast crank and you need a forged one because you're going for obscene boost levels or something like that).
 

pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
9,127
15,257
113
Elderton, Pa
Dropped the crank off, $40 for the polish. Talked to the shop owner (different shop than I first went to) about the thought of an parts store crank & he cautioned cause some of those "reman" cranks are welded to make them work. Recomended just have them cut locally (he sends them to Pittsburgh as cost of equipment is cheaper for his customers.) He'll see if I can get it back tomorrow as I'll be working in his area.
 
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