Welding Thrust on Cast Crank?

GTX JOHN · 04-13-2021, 12:48 PM

I have had one Crankshaft place tell me it is fine to
weld the thrust on a 360 Cast Crank. Another place
told me NOT to do it. I have quite a bit of money in
the crank and hate to discard it.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Rich Biebel · 04-13-2021, 01:52 PM

Welded cranks never lasted in my experience.

A local shop with a very experienced guy did them once in a while and usually they failed.

That was usually a steel crank.

I know we had some thrusts welded but again it was a steel crank....

Welding and cast iron are two words that don't go together to me..

I'm sure there will be those that say otherwise though.....

SDT1DYI · 04-13-2021, 08:01 PM

I assume the cast crank is " "Cast Steel" and not any type of "Iron " casting.
Welding cranks is a lost technical skills. It requires a skilled welder, following proper weld procedures.
Meaning, bake it first to get out all the oil in the casting. Pre heat and holding it during welding. Use proper filler rod, post weld stress relieving and then straighten it afterwards.
May require regrinding the mains and rods depending on the crank casting level, as it was originally manufactured.
A lot of work to do it " Right ".

Hope this helps......

Steve Teeter Stk/SS 620

1347 · 04-14-2021, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

I have had one Crankshaft place tell me it is fine to
weld the thrust on a 360 Cast Crank. Another place
told me NOT to do it. I have quite a bit of money in
the crank and hate to discard it.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

I would call shafttech in Ohio. They do alot of race crankshaft, and should be able to give you sound advice on if it's repairable.

SSDiv6 · 04-14-2021, 11:47 AM

John,

I use Performance Crankshaft in Michigan for all my crankshaft welding, both cast and forged.
Ask for the owner, Adney Brown. He has been doing crankshafts all his life and an expert on crankshaft machining.

(586) 549-7557

https://performancecrankshaft.com/

340Cuda · 04-14-2021, 12:39 PM

These are the folks that Bryant Racing recommends for crankshaft repair. I would check with them.

http://www.marinecrankshaftinc.com/

ss3011 · 04-14-2021, 04:09 PM

Any chance you could find a bearing with a wider thrust dimension ?

GTX JOHN · 04-14-2021, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss3011

Any chance you could find a bearing with a wider thrust dimension ?

Good Idea and I know it works and is available on some GM stuff
but I have not been able to find anything for my Mopar Stuff.

It seems like we have had a lot of problems since we started
leaving two steps. Plus my son is a serial gas whomper near
the finish!

04-13-2021, 12:48 PM	#1
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,733 Likes: 2,802 Liked 2,486 Times in 697 Posts	Welding Thrust on Cast Crank? I have had one Crankshaft place tell me it is fine to weld the thrust on a 360 Cast Crank. Another place told me NOT to do it. I have quite a bit of money in the crank and hate to discard it. Does anyone have any thoughts? __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock

04-13-2021, 01:52 PM	#2
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Welding Thrust on Cast Crank? Welded cranks never lasted in my experience. A local shop with a very experienced guy did them once in a while and usually they failed. That was usually a steel crank. I know we had some thrusts welded but again it was a steel crank.... Welding and cast iron are two words that don't go together to me.. I'm sure there will be those that say otherwise though..... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

04-13-2021, 08:01 PM	#3
SDT1DYI Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Indianola Washington Posts: 405 Likes: 0 Liked 455 Times in 147 Posts	Re: Welding Thrust on Cast Crank? I assume the cast crank is " "Cast Steel" and not any type of "Iron " casting. Welding cranks is a lost technical skills. It requires a skilled welder, following proper weld procedures. Meaning, bake it first to get out all the oil in the casting. Pre heat and holding it during welding. Use proper filler rod, post weld stress relieving and then straighten it afterwards. May require regrinding the mains and rods depending on the crank casting level, as it was originally manufactured. A lot of work to do it " Right ". Hope this helps...... Steve Teeter Stk/SS 620

04-14-2021, 11:47 AM	#5
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,044 Likes: 712 Liked 1,583 Times in 582 Posts	Re: Welding Thrust on Cast Crank? John, I use Performance Crankshaft in Michigan for all my crankshaft welding, both cast and forged. Ask for the owner, Adney Brown. He has been doing crankshafts all his life and an expert on crankshaft machining. (586) 549-7557 https://performancecrankshaft.com/

04-14-2021, 12:39 PM	#6
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,672 Likes: 3,863 Liked 802 Times in 339 Posts	Re: Welding Thrust on Cast Crank? These are the folks that Bryant Racing recommends for crankshaft repair. I would check with them. http://www.marinecrankshaftinc.com/

04-14-2021, 04:09 PM	#7
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 909 Likes: 70 Liked 239 Times in 114 Posts	Re: Welding Thrust on Cast Crank? Any chance you could find a bearing with a wider thrust dimension ?