The Ford Barn

Hot Rod Reverend · 07-28-2014, 10:23 AM

Got a call from the crank grinder today. They have my 312 crank all ready on the main journals and rod journals but they are concerned about the rear seal area. They are telling me that their crank grinding machine will "grab" the rear seal journal if they use the machine to turn that journal down. They want to use their lathe to turn down the rear main seal journal and then polish the journal to match the 292 crank I left in the shop for them to compare.

I have not heard of doing this, but they have been in business for over 50 years and have an excellent reputation and have done top notch work for me in the past. They believe by turning the rear main seal area down this way they will be able to keep the rear slinger also.

Any of you guys have any words of wisdom on this one? 312 cranks are drying up and I don't want to lose this one

rick55 · 07-28-2014, 07:57 PM

The rear slinger helps with sealing the engine, though 55s didn't have this feature.
What they are saying is probably correct. There is no reason why they couldn't turn it in a lathe and then polish it. Most people getting the crank ground down lose the lip. Your choice really. What does Ted Eaton, Tim McMaster, or John Mummert say?

46yblock · 07-28-2014, 11:28 PM

A few crank grinders have a stone narrow enough to grind down the rear seal journal thereby saving the oil slinger. I was lucky to find such a shop. Most people have to go with the loss of the slinger.

Ole Don · 07-29-2014, 08:13 AM

Keep the slinger.

darrell · 07-30-2014, 02:31 PM

I had my rear seal turned down with a lathe because they didn't have a wheel narrow enough and I didn't want to lose the slinger.next time I will just grind the whole mess off.never heard of a stone to rough for the rear seal but if that's what they want to do let them.

Motorhead6 · 08-05-2014, 11:05 AM

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I let the crank grinder remove the slinger. Big mistake. You will have rear main leakage once you get a few miles/years on the seal. The '54 Y-block taught Ford that they need a slinger. Cutting down the seal journal with a lathe is a good alternative as long as they polish the surface to a fine finish afterward.

My opinion and mayby worth just what you paid for it. :-)

Hot Rod Reverend · 08-05-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorhead6

I let the crank grinder remove the slinger. Big mistake. You will have rear main leakage once you get a few miles/years on the seal. The '54 Y-block taught Ford that they need a slinger. Cutting down the seal journal with a lathe is a good alternative as long as they polish the surface to a fine finish afterward.

My opinion and mayby worth just what you paid for it. :-)

See my recent post on the forum here about the 55 Ford refresh, etc. I just got my crank back and we did keep the slinger!

07-28-2014, 10:23 AM	#1
Hot Rod Reverend Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 916	312 Crank Grinding down to 292 size Got a call from the crank grinder today. They have my 312 crank all ready on the main journals and rod journals but they are concerned about the rear seal area. They are telling me that their crank grinding machine will "grab" the rear seal journal if they use the machine to turn that journal down. They want to use their lathe to turn down the rear main seal journal and then polish the journal to match the 292 crank I left in the shop for them to compare. I have not heard of doing this, but they have been in business for over 50 years and have an excellent reputation and have done top notch work for me in the past. They believe by turning the rear main seal area down this way they will be able to keep the rear slinger also. Any of you guys have any words of wisdom on this one? 312 cranks are drying up and I don't want to lose this one __________________ Lancaster, California Visit hotrodreverend.com to view hundreds of pictures and videos of the build of the 1955 Ford Club Sedan!

07-28-2014, 11:28 PM	#3
46yblock Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: S. Oregon Posts: 304	Re: 312 Crank Grinding down to 292 size A few crank grinders have a stone narrow enough to grind down the rear seal journal thereby saving the oil slinger. I was lucky to find such a shop. Most people have to go with the loss of the slinger. __________________ Mike, S. Oregon 46 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Merc Meteor S33, '54 Ford 600 tractor, '64 Falcon Futura, 1960 Thunderbird

07-29-2014, 08:13 AM	#4
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: 312 Crank Grinding down to 292 size Keep the slinger.

07-30-2014, 02:31 PM	#5
darrell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: p.e.i. Posts: 1,060	Re: 312 Crank Grinding down to 292 size I had my rear seal turned down with a lathe because they didn't have a wheel narrow enough and I didn't want to lose the slinger.next time I will just grind the whole mess off.never heard of a stone to rough for the rear seal but if that's what they want to do let them.

08-05-2014, 11:05 AM	#6
Motorhead6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orange Park, Fl Posts: 406	Re: 312 Crank Grinding down to 292 size Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I let the crank grinder remove the slinger. Big mistake. You will have rear main leakage once you get a few miles/years on the seal. The '54 Y-block taught Ford that they need a slinger. Cutting down the seal journal with a lathe is a good alternative as long as they polish the surface to a fine finish afterward. My opinion and mayby worth just what you paid for it. :-)