Laser Weld Crank

[chimpvalet]

Hello,

I've a nodular iron crank with perfect main and pin journals but a damaged thrust face. Local pro's are concerned that spray welding might yield micro-cracks. What about laser welding this?

Steve

[SupStk]

I've welded many cast cranks thrusts that have held up well. If magging them, they all have radial cracks, but never seem to cause a problem with breakage.

If you have a crank the bearing manufactures make an oversized thrust bearing for, it might be the best repair.

[rfoll]

I recently made a search for 400 sbc. I found the part number, but no longer available. I suspect disappearance of these engines from rebuild shops has reduced the demand to nil. Machine shops want well over $100 to repair a thrust face.

[mag2555]

Who provides such a welding process number 1, and number 2 I bet it's more expensive then just sourcing another usable cast Crank !

[rfoll]

In my area, Crankshaft City and Portland Engine Rebuilders. Price quotes were around $135. The reason we looked into it was because the crank had a very nice fresh regrind. Apparently it suffered from someone riding the clutch. You cannot buy an aftermarket 400 crank to use stock 400 rods. The counterweights are too large.