Looks like the 400 crank in my 383 is screwed. Its already cut .030 on the rod journals and there is a large scratch in it like the person who assembled the shortblock missed a rock in the bearing graemlins/sad.gif

So I need a new one. I have no money, so a cast crank comes to mind. Who makes good cast 3.75" stroke cranks?
Then I was looking on ebay, and found this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2447820009&category=33616

Does it look ok? Can I trust this company? Any comments are most welcome graemlins/beers.gif

I just got some books, and they both have recommended Lunati, Crower, and Callies

Is it too damaged to have turned? The amount of undersize isn't an issue as long as you can get bearings.

As for a cast crank, Scat is pretty good. My machinist buddy uses them all the time and is very happy with them. He has no problem balancing them. I've seen them for around $200.

I'm running a Scat 9000 series crank in my 383.
No problems yet!


-Matt

Sure, you COULD have it turned, but then thats where the dependability comes into play. At -.040 it wouldn't last much more than 50-60k, at least thats what the machine shop that turned the crank on my camaro to -.040. But you aren't driving the velle every day, are you? But when you take it to the strip you run it hard... is that something you really want to take a chance on? -.040 is the max you can have a crank turned down.

I have an extra 400 cast crank that I have $60.00 in if you are interested. It is Std. now. Just a thought.

That Ebay crank is probably a CAT crank. I would not use CAT parts if they were free. I bought an eagle 4340 crank on ebay last month for 349.00. The machine shop said it was perfect(it was turned at Eagle. .010)

RacnJsn95, where did you get that idea. A crank can go way more than .040" under and still be fine. 0.100" or more will not weaken it. It's really just a question of bearing availability. BillK posted a link to a paper on this sometime ago but the link is now dead. A lot of racing engine take the rod journals to Honda size ~1.880". Factory cast cranks are much stronger than most give them credit for.

Originally posted by Pat Kelley:
RacnJsn95, where did you get that idea. A crank can go way more than .040" under and still be fine. 0.100" or more will not weaken it. It's really just a question of bearing availability. BillK posted a link to a paper on this sometime ago but the link is now dead. A lot of racing engine take the rod journals to Honda size ~1.880". Factory cast cranks are much stronger than most give them credit for. Exactly what I was thinking :D

Originally posted by Pat Kelley:
RacnJsn95, where did you get that idea. A crank can go way more than .040" under and still be fine. 0.100" or more will not weaken it. It's really just a question of bearing availability. BillK posted a link to a paper on this sometime ago but the link is now dead. A lot of racing engine take the rod journals to Honda size ~1.880". Factory cast cranks are much stronger than most give them credit for. Intresting. Neat idea to turn down the journals for less contact area. Problem is this crank might not clean up at .040 I'll have to check and see if they offer bigger bearings them .040. Thanks for the advise guys.

P.S- No this is not a daily driven vehicle. It used to be along time ago. Now its a weekend only/ dragstrip toy. When it does get run, it gets beat into the ground. Its in a 78 c10 too :D

EDIT: ok so the only shop I really trust around here said its $100 to turn the journals. This sounds pretty dam high to me. Anyone know of a good shop in the phoenix area I can try? If its going to be $100 I might as well spend the other $100 and get a brand new crank and not worry about it.

$100 sounds pretty standard to me. A new crank would run you roughly $300 for a cheap one.

Put a Scat in it. I`ve seen the 9000 series int balanced Scats for $189. How can you go wrong!?
They have a better reputation than the Eagle`s do also.
Not worth grinding on a old factory crank when for a few $ more you can have new and internally balanced.

I need an externally balanced crank or else I'll need a new balancer and flywheel. Im already $400 into this tear down and inspect before firing it up again :mad:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33616&item=7941917638&rd=1

Hey, its been a year. What did you end up doing?

EVERY aftermarket cast crank is sourced from Communist China.

I'd feel better about a .040 under GM crank than a standard one from the land of NO quality assurance.

Let's face it, no vendor goes to China to source parts because Chinese do a better job than North Americans. They do it because the Chinese will shave the cost to nearly nothing.