The Ford Barn

jonf · 05-31-2015, 04:06 PM

I had my crank reground 4 or 5 years ago and put it in a box to store it. the box is resting on the floor and the crank inside is parallel to the floor. Is there any truth that all crankshafts should be store vertically?

Kube · 05-31-2015, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonf

I had my crank reground 4 or 5 years ago and put it in a box to store it. the box is resting on the floor and the crank inside is parallel to the floor. Is there any truth that all crankshafts should be store vertically?

Yes. I would definitly check it carefully before you decide to use it. In the meantime, stand it up!

zedbyers · 05-31-2015, 04:11 PM

agreed, there is truth to this, if it is not properly supported while being stored horizontally.

JSeery · 05-31-2015, 04:22 PM

This is one of the topics that there is little agreement on, but most believe that the sagging crank theory is a myth. Easy enough to check, run a gauge on it and see what you have.

uncle max · 05-31-2015, 04:32 PM

I'm concerned now... Will climate change bend my crank?

Tim Ayers · 06-01-2015, 07:25 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle max

I'm concerned now... Will climate change bend my crank?

Well, it depends on how hot your crank gets whether it will bend or not...

JWL · 06-01-2015, 07:52 AM

A previous contribution had stated the steel cranks "sag" before cast iron cranks. I was merely pointing out the opposite is more likely. So, to make this very(I hope) clear. First there is no sag. Second the cast iron is less apt even if you believe sag exists in the Flathead cranks.

Done. Period.

grovesmr · 04-22-2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle max

I'm concerned now... Will climate change bend my crank?

Climate change encompasses too wide a collection of scenarios. Now magnetic pole flip, that will cause spontaneous separation of the molecular bonds, you will need to cryo and heat treat the crank when that happens

1952henry · 04-22-2016, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle max

I'm concerned now... Will climate change bend my crank?

Just you wait. That tidbit will be released to bring car guys into the fold.
"Nowwww letmebeclear. Ahhh, climatechange ahhhh, willbendyourcrank ahhh burnupyourcoil and ahhh ruinyourshocks. Thedebate ahhh isover!"

rheltzel · 05-31-2015, 05:09 PM

No, but if global warming causes the seas to rise enough to flood Salt Lake City, it will rust.

jonf · 05-31-2015, 05:18 PM

Well OK then. I will rotate the box 180* and wait another couple of years. If it is sagging this should fix it.

BILL WZOREK · 05-31-2015, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonf

Well OK then. I will rotate the box 180* and wait another couple of years. If it is sagging this should fix it.

It all depends how many Leap years were in the laying down cycle

Old Henry · 05-31-2015, 05:37 PM

I would think that if gravity bends a crank laying on its side too long that standing it on end too long will cause its diameter to spread. . . kinda like my diameter has spread from standing on my end too many years.

ford38v8 · 05-31-2015, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old henry

i would think that if gravity bends a crank laying on its side too long that standing it on end too long will cause its diameter to spread. . . Kinda like my diameter has spread from sitting on my end too many years.

fify

19Fordy · 05-31-2015, 05:19 PM

Uncle max, The coefficient of thermal expansion of steel is such that unless the extreme temperature is sustained, thereby not permitting the crank to return to its nominal size, the distortion will remain. At least that's my view.
Think of a rail road track expanding during summer and contracting during winter. I just realized you are joking?

zedbyers · 05-31-2015, 05:22 PM

on larger (non-automotive) engines, you have jacking gear to turn them over slowly after they have been sitting for a while to remove any distortion from gravity, and this is a crank that is supported. no doubt in my mind that same doesn't happen to an unsupported one. the question becomes what is tolerable. may never even notice it? i can't answer that. but i have to believe that there is measurable change there. if it were a 9000 rpm racing engine, there is probably something to be worried about. these engines, maybe not.

V8COOPMAN · 05-31-2015, 06:03 PM

I had to look that one up, Alan. DD

ford38v8 · 05-31-2015, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

I had to look that one up, Alan. DD

http://www.urbandictionary.com

V8COOPMAN · 05-31-2015, 06:08 PM

I got 'er figured-out......had just never seen that one before. What the heck do I know? DD

tubman · 05-31-2015, 06:09 PM

I have always been amazed at discussions like this. Here's a crankshaft that can take the firing impulses running in an engine for 90-100K miles, and some prople wwill think it will bend sitting on a floor? Give me a break!

05-31-2015, 04:06 PM	#1
jonf Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Little Rock Posts: 24	Gravity bends a crank? I had my crank reground 4 or 5 years ago and put it in a box to store it. the box is resting on the floor and the crank inside is parallel to the floor. Is there any truth that all crankshafts should be store vertically?

05-31-2015, 04:11 PM	#3
zedbyers Junior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: ME/FL Posts: 21	Re: Gravity bends a crank? agreed, there is truth to this, if it is not properly supported while being stored horizontally.

05-31-2015, 04:22 PM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Gravity bends a crank? This is one of the topics that there is little agreement on, but most believe that the sagging crank theory is a myth. Easy enough to check, run a gauge on it and see what you have.

05-31-2015, 04:32 PM	#5
uncle max Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SLC Utah Posts: 798	Re: Gravity bends a crank? I'm concerned now... Will climate change bend my crank? __________________ RIP Tyler... My Son, Helper & Best Friend. Feb '78 to Father's Day '10. www.97-express.com ~ [email protected]

06-01-2015, 07:52 AM	#7
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Gravity bends a crank? A previous contribution had stated the steel cranks "sag" before cast iron cranks. I was merely pointing out the opposite is more likely. So, to make this very(I hope) clear. First there is no sag. Second the cast iron is less apt even if you believe sag exists in the Flathead cranks. Done. Period.

05-31-2015, 05:09 PM	#10
rheltzel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 368	Re: Gravity bends a crank? No, but if global warming causes the seas to rise enough to flood Salt Lake City, it will rust. Last edited by rheltzel; 05-31-2015 at 05:10 PM. Reason: missing word

05-31-2015, 05:18 PM	#11
jonf Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Little Rock Posts: 24	Re: Gravity bends a crank? Well OK then. I will rotate the box 180* and wait another couple of years. If it is sagging this should fix it.

05-31-2015, 05:37 PM	#13
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: Gravity bends a crank? I would think that if gravity bends a crank laying on its side too long that standing it on end too long will cause its diameter to spread. . . kinda like my diameter has spread from standing on my end too many years. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

05-31-2015, 05:19 PM	#15
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,921	Re: Gravity bends a crank? Uncle max, The coefficient of thermal expansion of steel is such that unless the extreme temperature is sustained, thereby not permitting the crank to return to its nominal size, the distortion will remain. At least that's my view. Think of a rail road track expanding during summer and contracting during winter. I just realized you are joking?

05-31-2015, 05:22 PM	#16
zedbyers Junior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: ME/FL Posts: 21	Re: Gravity bends a crank? on larger (non-automotive) engines, you have jacking gear to turn them over slowly after they have been sitting for a while to remove any distortion from gravity, and this is a crank that is supported. no doubt in my mind that same doesn't happen to an unsupported one. the question becomes what is tolerable. may never even notice it? i can't answer that. but i have to believe that there is measurable change there. if it were a 9000 rpm racing engine, there is probably something to be worried about. these engines, maybe not.

05-31-2015, 06:03 PM	#17
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,106	Re: Gravity bends a crank? I had to look that one up, Alan. DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

05-31-2015, 06:08 PM	#19
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,106	Re: Gravity bends a crank? I got 'er figured-out......had just never seen that one before. What the heck do I know? DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

05-31-2015, 06:09 PM	#20
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Gravity bends a crank? I have always been amazed at discussions like this. Here's a crankshaft that can take the firing impulses running in an engine for 90-100K miles, and some prople wwill think it will bend sitting on a floor? Give me a break!