Happy new year to all! Anyone have experience with running a crankshaft that has been repaired by welding? My own limited experience with this has not been positive. It seems that many times when we buy a crank kit, it comes with a shaft that has been welded on one or more journals. While this seems to be o.k. for your average rebuild, I haven't seen this hold up in a high-perf engine. Anyone have any views/input to the contrary? Thanks. --Craig Stangohr/Aiken, S.C.
I see no problem with welding if it's a steel crank. I'm not sure I would put alot of trust in a welded cast crank though. My crank grinder has the same concerns about welding on a cast crank, he feels it is ok for a stock application but does not feel comfortable with a welded cast one in a performance application. Jim Burek P.A..E ENTERPRISES
T/a had no problem selling me a $3600 short block that failed after 600 break in miles do to a welded crank at # 7&8 :af: the crank was turned under .030 rods .020 mains have not dealt with them since and couldnt be happier
I would NEVER weld on a cast crank.......You can replace a stock crank for pennies compared to the number of pieces that can be ruined trying to run one that is repaired.... Hard to believe anyone would try this on a stocker....ou:
welded crank I welded a cast crank years ago , and then offset ground it to get 477 inches.This combo used stock rods and pistons(tops milled down, was (NEVER) balanced, and i put over 600 passes on this engine with no problems.It is still running strong in a malibu in chicago.Ialso did a 506 like this with a welded (stock crank) with stock buick rods with no trouble either .I couldnt afford 2000 dollars for a good crank 10 years ago, so i did this .I ran this engine for years and NO trouble.The crank is still sitting in the garage.I guess i was lucky, but id do it again.Bfore paying 2000 or more for a good crank.Poor people have poor ways hahaha.
I think you guys are mixing up cast steel cranks with the newer nodular cast iron cranks. Both are cast, but one is cast steel which is readily weldable, while nodualr cast iron is not. Cast iron has too much carbon in it that makes welding extremely difficult. To my knowledge, most of the older style engines have cast steel.
Cast steel crank So do you think that most 1970-1976 455 cranks are indeed cast steel, then? Thanks. --Craig Stangohr
Craig - Supposedly, there are steel 455" Olds cranks...haven't seen one myself. The crank you're likely to find, is a good old Nodular Iron piece. Not sure what the aftermarket offers for Olds cranks.o No:
