spare cranks?

[redamnavit]

It took me most of the day but I got my flywheel and clutch mounted. Between mounting it all, realizing that I didn't have that plate that goes between the block and trans on there, pulling everything off and putting it all back on...

...I ended up crossthreading to one degree or another a few of the flywheel bolts. I torqued down all the clean ones and tightened the others as snug as was realistic. The flywheel seems solid and I don't see any wobble when I turn the crank The next time I pull the flywheel to have it resurfaced it'll be impossible to remount it properly due to the messed up threads in the crank.

I'm proceeding anyway; I'll replace the crank when I replace the clutch. At this point I don't care if its safe or mechanically sound; I'm too damn tired of fighting this project, finding stripped threads or broken parts way too late at night.

So in short, if anyone has a spare crank, let me know.

[redamnavit]

Alright, I've relaxed a little; its just been a long day. I would like to hear people's opinions on whether this engine will self destruct in its current form. I've got 1 1/2 to 2 weeks more of downtime whileI do engine bay paint/prep before I'm ready to put the motor in so there's time to replace the crank if someone has one and its deemed to be necessary.

It also occurs to me that, given the crank is a big forged hunk of metal and the bolts are relatively soft, I may have just been chewing up the bolts? Probably a pipe dream, but let me know if you think there's a chance.

Thanks for your help guys; there's no one I know around me who knows or cares about cars so you're kinda like my support group. In a not-ghey way.
Modified by redamnavit at 3:25 AM 9/5/2004

[Nismo1182]

I got a crank for sale.

[redamnavit]

I got a crank for sale.

How much? And do you have the crank only or a whole short block or such? I'd probably be interested in that too...

[redamnavit]

Anyone have an opinion on this? Did I really screw up my crank or were the flakes of metal all from the chewed up bolt threads?

[nocwage]

If you start to hear ANY weird noises stop driving immediately.If that flywheel comes loose you're legs are in trouble.

I think there are kits to test the threads, pull the bolts out and inspect, but if you've cross threaded it's probably toasted.

[LoserbabyS13]

Why not just get new slightly bigger bolts and re-tap all of them for the new bolt size

[float_6969]

That should be the eaisest/cheapest route. If you're in doubt call a local machine shop/engine rebuilder and ask them. They are probabally going to have more hands on expertice in that area.

[redamnavit]

That should be the eaisest/cheapest route. If you're in doubt call a local machine shop/engine rebuilder and ask them. They are probabally going to have more hands on expertice in that area.

Well I should have a new set of flywheel bolts by the end of the week. I'll clean out the crank holes and try those out. If it really is messed up I'll try the re-tap; sounds like a good idea. I'd like Nismo1182's crank as a backup; I don't know any of the machine shops around here or anyone to ask for recommendations about a good one. Nismo, email me if you could. [email protected] .

EDIT: I cleaned the holes out; its definitely unpleasant. Not horrible but probably not safe. Anyone else who can get me a crank (earlier the better), PLEASE let me know. I'll pull the crank tomorrow or wednesday and start calling machine shops.
Modified by redamnavit at 3:42 PM 9/8/2004

[r34 gtr]

you can tap it yourself, just go to a hardware store and get one in the size you need. drill it out a little, tap it, bolt things back up and call it a day.

now im worried about putting my flywheel on.. im going to be so careful itll take me a week. good luck though!

- tim

[redamnavit]

you can tap it yourself, just go to a hardware store and get one in the size you need. drill it out a little, tap it, bolt things back up and call it a day.

now im worried about putting my flywheel on.. im going to be so careful itll take me a week. good luck though!- tim

Is it that easy? I have a tap&die set with the next metric size up, but I'm a little worried about drilling 8 straight and true holes and getting the threads in straight as well.

I considered just getting longer bolts; the flywheel bolts fall way short of the thread depth in the crank so perhaps I could just drill out the stripped thread section and let the longer bolts get a grip deeper in the crank.Either way, could I do the drilling with the crank in the motor or should I pull it out?

Don't worry too much about bolting up your own flywheel; I'm just an impatient idiot at times. If you feel resistance putting the bolts in, DON'T just force them in like I did.

[r34 gtr]

haha, okay. my dad got a new 19.2 volt craftsman drill and it has built in levels so you can tell what angle your drilling at. or if you could use a drill press that would be even more awesome. im sure you can find one big enough somewhere.

the longer bolt idea isnt too bad either, but make sure you have at least as much good thread left as you did with the old holes before they were stripped.

- tim

[Nismo1182]

75 for the crank.

[r34 gtr]

wish i had the money for a spare crank. i'd love to have one to play around with. maybe get it lightened and balanced.

- tim

[redamnavit]

haha, okay. my dad got a new 19.2 volt craftsman drill and it has built in levels so you can tell what angle your drilling at. or if you could use a drill press that would be even more awesome. im sure you can find one big enough somewhere.

the longer bolt idea isnt too bad either, but make sure you have at least as much good thread left as you did with the old holes before they were stripped.- tim

That drill sounds awesome, one of those would have made my life easier a number of times. I actually have a standing drill press in my garage so I may try that out if I feel squirrely about using my hand drill. I'll measure the thread depth in the holes to see if the longer bolts are viable.

75 for the crank.

75 shipped? If so then its a deal, just let me know where/how to send the money. If not, how much shipped?

[r34 gtr]

a standing drill press is the way to go. drilling by hand will be such a pain. itll wear your arms out as that crank isnt exactly made of soft metal.

- tim

[redamnavit]

a standing drill press is the way to go. drilling by hand will be such a pain. itll wear your arms out as that crank isnt exactly made of soft metal.

If the long bolt idea doesn't work I'll do this. Or actually, use Nismo's crank and do the larger bolt thing to my old one when I get the time. The new stock bolts are already on order so I might as well use them.

[Nismo1182]

Not 75 shipped, ill find out how much though. Damn hurricanes are making things difficult down here.

[redamnavit]

Not 75 shipped, ill find out how much though. Damn hurricanes are making things difficult down here.

Sorry man; I didn't notice where you were located. Be safe.

[redamnavit]

Hey Nismo1182, could you check the rod and main sizes stamped on the crank and let me know what they are? I figure I'd order the bearings while I was waiting. Maybe send them off to swaincoat for friction treatment if there's time.

Now if I could only figure out how to dislodge the rod ends... any advice anyone? I've got the engine on the stand and the nuts are off but they're snug. I tapped them a bit with a rubber mallet to loosen them but its not had much effect and I'm afraid of giving them a hard whack. Sorry, newbie question.