Bent Crank ??
 

Any help or theries would be appreciated.

A small oil leak started and I could tell where it was coming from. Didn't leak while running under 2000 rpm on trailer. After putting back in the waater It got worse quickly. Found it slinging oil from behind harmonic balancer. Removed balancer and found rubber portion of oil seal completly destroyed spring just hanging there. Knowing this doesn't "just happen" and a couple of marks on the balancer where it had rubbed something but not where the seal rides. I set up a dial indicator and checjed the run out on the front of the crank just behind the keyway it is 0.020" it is noticably out of round while cranking the engine which is a well built 454 BBC. My main questions are:

Has it been this way since I got the boat ~15 running hours ago or did it just happen?

What could cause this if it just happened?

Should I replace the seal and hope I can finish the end of the boating season here in the north east. Would really like to take the boat to the races in Cambridge, MD in September.

OR retire it for the year and fix it right.

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

That's weird. I can't imagine why that would happen unless it was dropped? I hope your front mains are tight. You have to remve the seal anyway so might as well change oil. Check for metal powder in the oil.

Roby

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

What was the crankshaft manufacturers name?

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

That motor looks very familiar....Is it in the JAWS?

Give Kurt a call at 732 477 7400 i believe he built the motor.

He might be able to steer you in the right direction.

Hope to see you in Cambridge. Are you gonna race it?

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

My guess would be the crank is fractured and hasn't broke all the way yet,ive seen it on small blocks. Ive also seen stock gm 1053 steel cranks that are broke just like they were cast (clean fracture with powdery grain acrossed the break). If it is bent then i would think it was bent before motor was assembled,did it leak from day one? I wouldn't run it(on the chance it would destroy block,rods pistons ,heads etc)if it does come apart completely. If you really wanted to run it(this is going to sound like something a farmer would do to a old tractor) I would whap the crank on the snout with the high side up with a brass hammer,if it changes the runout easily,you can count on it being broken,good luck,smitty

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

I had the same symptoms with an oil leak a while back. Changed the seal 3 times with no luck. Changed the timing cover and cured the leak. Dont know if my 2 cents will work but may be worth a try.

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Articfriends, my brother and I were wheeling the desert with his FJ44 and took a rock real hard on a sharp drop. Bent something and he did just that, pounded the hell out of the balancer. Held a piece of charcoal steady while engine cranked to find the high spot then smack the crap out of it. Repeat until straight. Next we attacked the oil pan by draining the oil into a cooler and punching a hole into it. Remove lag bold from bed and screw into hole. Attach piece of chain to bolt an lever pan away from crank. Seal hole with JB weld and pour oil back in. Made it Barstow and back before proper repair made. Glad he does not work on my boat!

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Toss a seal in and run it the season is about over anyway.
Keep your rpm's down and keep and eye on it.
If the crank is bent that much chances are it may be cracked and ready to break.
If it breaks you are in serious trouble.
Go boating with another boat just in case you get into trouble.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Brian

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

If this is the case don't bother playing the lottery because your good luck was spent on the fact you have salvagable parts. I wouldn't think of starting the engine. Do your runout test w/ plugs removed on starter only.

Roby

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

I do agree with Roby, if you do run it and loose it and the crank fractures, you will take out several parts with it, the safe approach would be to bite the bullett and take the motor out and remove the crank, have it magneflexed and inspected and if it is bad replace it.
While your in there replace the main and rod bearings, and oil pump.
You should also check compression before you tear it down, if it is good you won't have to play with rings, or a valve job.
Best of Luck
Keep us posted.
Brian

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Bruce, it is the Jaws. Thanks for the info on the engine builder. If Kurt did build it he does nice work. Everything in the engine seems to be done right. I decided to pull the engine and check it out. I found the front main bearing spun and this was causing the runout at the front of the crank. It doesnt look like the crank is bent at all but the front journal is wiped out along with the front main saddle. Does anyone know if a damaged main saddle can be repaired. It appears that it is more than a line bore can correct. Hate to loose the whole block because the rest of the motor is in good shape.

I have been trying to get some seat time in this boat to see if P-5 might be a possibility. Had it running 74 gps @ 5500rpm with the addition of a Hydromotive QIVx from Throttle-Up. This prop really helped overall handling and speed. Hope to have it repaired for Cambridge. I was thinking Cambridge or Camden might be a good place to run a 24' boat since these courses are somewhat protected.

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Well, I hope to see ya down there. P-5 would be a great class for you and Cambridge is the best place. The water doesnt get too rough and could be anyone's race.
Good luck.
If you need anymore help with the motor, Kurt is the man. if not, I know the previous owners, who might be able to help out. as well.

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Well try to have it align-bored anyway because if you can't you're gonna lose the block. I have never heard of anyone welding these up and boring them but that's not to say it hasn't been done. Keep in mind with align-boring that your timing set will have to be replaced with one designed for the given amount of the align-boring.

Roby

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Baja, take your tiime and do a thorough inspection of the crank shaft.
Then inspect all parts you pull out.
If they align bore and hone the block and install the shorter timing chain, they also need to relocate the dowell pins that are pressed into the back of the block where your bell housing attaches.
That centerline will also be changing and can cause a misalingment.
If you have to grind the crank, line hone the block, then find out that you need to bore the block, go for pistons, rings now we are spending too much money.
Quote a short block before you do the repair!!!
Keep us posted.
Good luck
Brian

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Thanks for the replies. They are in line with what I have been thinking. Rest of the motor checks out and is in good shape. I didn't know if they made a sleeve or something to repair a single main saddle. Looks like the block has been line honed at least once. Only has about 50 hours on it. I think I know why the main bearing went. When I changed the oil for the first time after buying the boat I put on an Fram HP4 oil filter that has an anti-drainback valve. When I started it there was no oil pressure for ~1 min. The oil lines to the remote filter had been hooked up backwards but with the original oil filter without the drainback valve it didn't cause a problem. I imagine that is what has caused this problem. I have been looking at the 540 short blocks from world products. Anyone have experience with them?

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

I thought when they line bored it was like resizing a rod cap,,they take material off the cap then bore the hole at the same distance to the ref point??

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Your right about milling off the main caps but it does raise the journal centerline higher in the block closer to the cam. it has to or else the block side of the journal would never be trued.

Roby

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

I see what you mean ,but does it change your deck height to resize a rod? Maybe they just line honed my mains due to the spun rod bearing. I'll have to ask the shop if I need a shorter chain.

Re: Bent Crank ??
 

Yes it does and it will reduce your compression unless the deck has been surfaced. If you are looking into doing align boring, and resizing rods. I'm thinking it is best to stop right there and find a new short block.

Roby