The Ford Barn

raybee · 08-06-2019, 01:50 PM

What are the pros and cons? Is one better than the other? I see the Scat is over $800.00, what do good merc cranks sell for? Ray

frnkeore · 08-06-2019, 02:10 PM

There's a Merc crank on Ebay, right now, for $400.

This is a new, 4 1/4" floater, for $494. I believe the same outfit carries 4 & 4 1/8", also.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Eagle-Crank...8AAOSwjRtbNCsE

Frank

A bones · 08-06-2019, 02:19 PM

I can't speak about Merc crank prices. They work great if not damaged. However the word here, ( I'm sure someone else will speak up. ) is Scat cranks are problematic, a better choice is Eagle. However if going with new rods the better pick is Scat, not Eagle for rods.

So Merc, if its verified sound. Or Eagle crank with Scat rods. Good Luck.

raybee · 08-06-2019, 02:20 PM

Was it the Eagle crank that got the bad reviews about balancing problems?

raybee · 08-06-2019, 02:24 PM

Sorry, I guess we were typing at the same time. I guess I had my facts mixed up. Ray

A bones · 08-06-2019, 02:26 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

No the problems came from Scat and Scat was not responsible to the issue.

The thing about the rods is clearance. Eagle required massaging.

Brian · 08-06-2019, 03:20 PM

A genuine Merc crank is far superior to a Chinese Scat crank. I have run both versions. The crap Scat I had went rusty just sitting on the wooden workbench, whereas I've got old Ford cranks kicking around on a concrete floor that stay good, however, the bigger problem is the quality control, rather the lack of it, exhibited by Scat. The Scat crank I had wouldn't even fit into the block!- I had to machine it to suit, then throws two and three were incorrectly positioned , putting the rods off cylinder centrelines. Upon informing Scat, they didn't give a toss! All communication with Scat was through some dickhead salesman, not engineer, who, when looking at photos I sent him, had to ask "What rods are those? they must be the problem"!!! [NOS genuine 21A rods] yeah right, must be the problem!!
Thing is, in my case at least, I would have been better off, both financially and quality wise, if I had've used a Gennie Fomoco crank and modified to suit.

scat
noun (1) Definition of scat (Entry 2 of 5)
: an animal fecal dropping

Quite true; Shit!!

Pete · 08-06-2019, 04:53 PM

I have posted this before but here it is again.
When SCAT cranks for flathead Fords first came on the market, they were advertised as being cast STEEL. 2 of the vintage top fuel guys and myself went together and bought 3 rough castings and finished them ourselves to 4.438 stroke which was all the stroke we could get with the material available.
I put mine in a circle track engine running on av gas. It lasted one season before needing grinding.
The other 2 were put in vintage top fuel drag engines running on 100% nitro.
Both of those cranks broke before they went 100 ft. on the first run.
UPON ANALYZING, THOSE CRANKS WERE NODULAR IRON, NOT STEEL.
SCAT would not talk to us about it.

I would use an old style welded stroker made on a Merc crank before I would ever use a SCAT crank. I wouldn't even make a lamp out of one.

raybee · 08-06-2019, 05:40 PM

So how are the Eagle cranks?

Brian · 08-06-2019, 05:41 PM

Just remembered...one of the oil holes on a main journal wasn't even in centre of journal. Had to elongate it in order to allow oil flow to rod journal

philipswanson · 08-06-2019, 06:13 PM

Again, how about the Eagle cranks?

Stenny · 08-06-2019, 06:48 PM

I think the message here is to look for a real Merc crank.

frnkeore · 08-06-2019, 07:19 PM

Has anyone installed a Eagle crank?

Frank

Bored&Stroked · 08-06-2019, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frnkeore

Has anyone installed a Eagle crank?

Frank

Gary "GOSFAST" uses a lot of them and he prefers Eagle over SCAT. One has to remember that both of these products come from offshore castings, then they're finished on shore. I think for a street application that is not being built for higher horsepower, you should be able to get away with an Eagle crank. I will report back as we just ordered a 4.250 stroke unit. When it shows up and if there are issues with it --- it will just go back. We will find out how well the workmanship is done --- journal sizes, out-of-round, taper, surface finish, ability to balance, etc.. I make no claims until I see one and we go through it . . .

Once I start thinking about welded strokers . . . my mind goes to custom billet cranks - made to order. There are a few different vendors that can produce such a beast - but now you're talking about $3,000 or so (big bucks) - and around 4 - 6 month lead times. For a high-end race motor (especially blown or on nitro), pretty much the way you have to go.

Brian · 08-06-2019, 08:32 PM

Genuine Ford Parts; built right, last longer

qmdv · 08-06-2019, 09:12 PM

I have a worn standard 4" merc crank that I am hanging on to.

texas webb · 08-06-2019, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

A genuine Merc crank is far superior to a Chinese Scat crank. I have run both versions. The crap Scat I had went rusty just sitting on the wooden workbench, whereas I've got old Ford cranks kicking around on a concrete floor that stay good, however, the bigger problem is the quality control, rather the lack of it, exhibited by Scat. The Scat crank I had wouldn't even fit into the block!- I had to machine it to suit, then throws two and three were incorrectly positioned , putting the rods off cylinder centrelines. Upon informing Scat, they didn't give a toss! All communication with Scat was through some dickhead salesman, not engineer, who, when looking at photos I sent him, had to ask "What rods are those? they must be the problem"!!! [NOS genuine 21A rods] yeah right, must be the problem!!
Thing is, in my case at least, I would have been better off, both financially and quality wise, if I had've used a Gennie Fomoco crank and modified to suit.

scat
noun (1) Definition of scat (Entry 2 of 5)
: an animal fecal dropping

Quite true; Shit!!

Very well put,Brian

Ol' Ron · 08-06-2019, 09:46 PM

Have ab Eagle crank assy from Gary that;s been running for the past 4 years in a 294 , L-100 powered 38 Ford PU that I went to lunch in today. Excellent quality and a fair price.

philipswanson · 08-07-2019, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Have ab Eagle crank assy from Gary that;s been running for the past 4 years in a 294 , L-100 powered 38 Ford PU that I went to lunch in today. Excellent quality and a fair price.

What's an L-100? Who's Gary?

JWL · 08-07-2019, 10:29 AM

I have used one 4 1/4 Scat and have no complaints. The machining was as near perfect as I can measure and the quality of material seemed adequate. The only issue was trying to remove enough weight from the rod journals. If Mallory was used this would not be a problem. The engine has not been in a vehicle but has withstood a number of dyno pulls and has been inspected a few times showing no problem.

08-06-2019, 01:50 PM	#1
raybee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 286	Scat vs Merc crank What are the pros and cons? Is one better than the other? I see the Scat is over $800.00, what do good merc cranks sell for? Ray

08-06-2019, 02:10 PM	#2
frnkeore Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 782	Re: Scat vs Merc crank There's a Merc crank on Ebay, right now, for $400. This is a new, 4 1/4" floater, for $494. I believe the same outfit carries 4 & 4 1/8", also. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Eagle-Crank...8AAOSwjRtbNCsE Frank

08-06-2019, 02:19 PM	#3
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,282	Re: Scat vs Merc crank I can't speak about Merc crank prices. They work great if not damaged. However the word here, ( I'm sure someone else will speak up. ) is Scat cranks are problematic, a better choice is Eagle. However if going with new rods the better pick is Scat, not Eagle for rods. So Merc, if its verified sound. Or Eagle crank with Scat rods. Good Luck. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

08-06-2019, 02:20 PM	#4
raybee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 286	Re: Scat vs Merc crank Was it the Eagle crank that got the bad reviews about balancing problems?

08-06-2019, 02:24 PM	#5
raybee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 286	Re: Scat vs Merc crank Sorry, I guess we were typing at the same time. I guess I had my facts mixed up. Ray

08-06-2019, 02:26 PM	#6
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,282	Re: Scat vs Merc crank Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) No the problems came from Scat and Scat was not responsible to the issue. The thing about the rods is clearance. Eagle required massaging. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

08-06-2019, 03:20 PM	#7
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,829	Re: Scat vs Merc crank A genuine Merc crank is far superior to a Chinese Scat crank. I have run both versions. The crap Scat I had went rusty just sitting on the wooden workbench, whereas I've got old Ford cranks kicking around on a concrete floor that stay good, however, the bigger problem is the quality control, rather the lack of it, exhibited by Scat. The Scat crank I had wouldn't even fit into the block!- I had to machine it to suit, then throws two and three were incorrectly positioned , putting the rods off cylinder centrelines. Upon informing Scat, they didn't give a toss! All communication with Scat was through some dickhead salesman, not engineer, who, when looking at photos I sent him, had to ask "What rods are those? they must be the problem"!!! [NOS genuine 21A rods] yeah right, must be the problem!! Thing is, in my case at least, I would have been better off, both financially and quality wise, if I had've used a Gennie Fomoco crank and modified to suit. scat noun (1) Definition of scat (Entry 2 of 5) : an animal fecal dropping Quite true; Shit!! __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit! Last edited by Brian; 08-06-2019 at 03:53 PM.

08-06-2019, 04:53 PM	#8
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,407	Re: Scat vs Merc crank I have posted this before but here it is again. When SCAT cranks for flathead Fords first came on the market, they were advertised as being cast STEEL. 2 of the vintage top fuel guys and myself went together and bought 3 rough castings and finished them ourselves to 4.438 stroke which was all the stroke we could get with the material available. I put mine in a circle track engine running on av gas. It lasted one season before needing grinding. The other 2 were put in vintage top fuel drag engines running on 100% nitro. Both of those cranks broke before they went 100 ft. on the first run. UPON ANALYZING, THOSE CRANKS WERE NODULAR IRON, NOT STEEL. SCAT would not talk to us about it. I would use an old style welded stroker made on a Merc crank before I would ever use a SCAT crank. I wouldn't even make a lamp out of one.

08-06-2019, 05:40 PM	#9
raybee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 286	Re: Scat vs Merc crank So how are the Eagle cranks?

08-06-2019, 05:41 PM	#10
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,829	Re: Scat vs Merc crank Just remembered...one of the oil holes on a main journal wasn't even in centre of journal. Had to elongate it in order to allow oil flow to rod journal __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

08-06-2019, 06:13 PM	#11
philipswanson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bonita, CA Posts: 1,374	Re: Scat vs Merc crank Again, how about the Eagle cranks?

08-06-2019, 06:48 PM	#12
Stenny Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 58	Re: Scat vs Merc crank I think the message here is to look for a real Merc crank.

08-06-2019, 07:19 PM	#13
frnkeore Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 782	Re: Scat vs Merc crank Has anyone installed a Eagle crank? Frank

08-06-2019, 08:32 PM	#15
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,829	Re: Scat vs Merc crank Genuine Ford Parts; built right, last longer __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

08-06-2019, 09:12 PM	#16
qmdv Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Payette, ID Posts: 935	Re: Scat vs Merc crank I have a worn standard 4" merc crank that I am hanging on to.

08-06-2019, 09:46 PM	#18
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: Scat vs Merc crank Have ab Eagle crank assy from Gary that;s been running for the past 4 years in a 294 , L-100 powered 38 Ford PU that I went to lunch in today. Excellent quality and a fair price.

08-07-2019, 10:29 AM	#20
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Scat vs Merc crank I have used one 4 1/4 Scat and have no complaints. The machining was as near perfect as I can measure and the quality of material seemed adequate. The only issue was trying to remove enough weight from the rod journals. If Mallory was used this would not be a problem. The engine has not been in a vehicle but has withstood a number of dyno pulls and has been inspected a few times showing no problem.