283 crankshaft end play

[Thomas H.]

Assembling the engine for my 58. Checking crankshaft end play (with dial indicator) and measuring 0.0095" (let's just round up to 0.010"). Spec calls for max of 0.006".

Every other engine I have assembled has had the end play within spec, now what? Is it time for a new crank?

The engine is a 245hp and will have a 4spd behind it.

Tom

[Timothy B.]

Re: 283 crankshaft end play

Tom,

IMO, I would go talk to a good machine shop, the rear thrust bearing may be ordered larger in this thrust area but I am not 100% sure.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 283 crankshaft end play

Tom,
If the engine is already in the car then drive it. Tim has a good idea about a larger thrust bearing if they are available?
At least you checked! There are engines out there that are out of limits and the owner is unaware. The limits are there for a reason but there are a lot out there over limits in that area.
Did tou save the old one? If so look at it and see how it is worn. Manual transmissions are harder on that bearing but I have seen the crank worn in that area because of poor oil & skipped oil changes on a automatic trans car.
If your satisfied then keep good oil in it for the next 100K.

DOM

[John N.]

Re: 283 crankshaft end play

What condition is the thrust surface of the crankshaft?

[Thomas H.]

Re: 283 crankshaft end play

Tom,
If the engine is already in the car then drive it. Tim has a good idea about a larger thrust bearing if they are available?
At least you checked! There are engines out there that are out of limits and the owner is unaware. The limits are there for a reason but there are a lot out there over limits in that area.
Did tou save the old one? If so look at it and see how it is worn. Manual transmissions are harder on that bearing but I have seen the crank worn in that area because of poor oil & skipped oil changes on a automatic trans car.
If your satisfied then keep good oil in it for the next 100K.

DOM

Here's the deal. The engine was "professionally built" back in 2002. It was never fired and sat until I bought the car as a project in Sept of this year. I had no idea what was in the engine, piston and cam wise plus I noticed some things that I did not like which lead me to open it all up. I'm glad I did as the "professional" must have forgotten to cover the rod bolts during assy and almost every journal was nicked and had corresponding grooves in the bearings. I found that the crank was cut 0.020 on the mains and 0.030 on the rods. I took the crank to the machine shop I deal with and we decided to try and polish out the scuffs and if it came out ok I'd use the crank. Things worked out and my measured bearing clearances are all within spec. I installed the crank into the block yesterday and found the end play to be out of spec. The bearings are all new and the thrust surface on the crank "looks" good, but is obviously worn.

I'm in a bit of a quandary as I spent money to have the crank polished for new bearings and I hate to just throw that out the window, but I also don't want to have issues down the road. The crank is the original 3735236.

I don't expect that this car will ever become a daily driver or be raced by me or any future owner, so I have a decision to make and need some guidance.

Tom

[Thomas H.]

Re: 283 crankshaft end play

John,

The thrust surface is in good condition. I provided a detailed response to a prior reply that you may want to review.

Tom

[Larry B.]

Re: 283 crankshaft end play

When the crank was ground they may have bumped the thrust sides, to correct the thrust or by mistake. Mike the width of the and the crank to see which is wrong. You won't find a oversize bearing by a couple thou they will be at least .010 oversize. You can change the end play with the cap, just the bolts a little and slide the cap one way or the other and torque the bolts again. Nothing is holding the cap in place. You could just order a crank kit for about $150 and get a 10-10 crank.