storing flathead parts crank and cam

saints

saints

Member
I have heard you can bend a crank by not storing it correctly out of the block so....... what is the correct way, right now I have them standing straight up in the corner of my shop
as far as the cam I dont want them to rust could I coat it in assembly lube and saranwrap it
 
saints said:
I have heard you can bend a crank by not storing it correctly out of the block so....... what is the correct way, right now I have them standing straight up in the corner of my shop
as far as the cam I dont want them to rust could I coat it in assembly lube and saranwrap it
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I am not an expert but I went to an automotive machine shop last week and I saw many, many "stored" cranks standing on end. Didn't see any cams, but think you are ok. I covered my crank with grease and stored it on end inside a plastic bag.
 
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I do what your doing without problems. I use a flywheel to stand mine on, to be sure they don't fall over. I do not lean them. Cams, I put motor oil on them and lie them down on the shelf, or stand in a 5 gal bucket.
 
I made a wooden support for mine, per instructions in one of the Flathead books. Spraying with Metal Protective Coating by Dow Corning is great for long term storage.
 
thanks I just didnt want the crank to bend.... thats a great idea with the bucket as I have a handful of stock cams.....
Rocketsled did you support the journals or the middle of the crank
 
Saints,
The crank is supported at the main journals.
I started with 3/4" pine board: The base is 24" X 7.5"; The 3 supports are 6.5"W X 6"H;
Each is notched at a 90 degree angle so the the lowest point of the notch is 4.75" above the base board. Each is screwed from below.
I hope this helps,
Rocketsled
 
I don't have much confidence in the wooden racks people make. The reason being, It's just not possible to make them within the specs of warped tolerance. .003" warp in a crank shaft is problematic. Does anyone actually believe you can support the mains, across the three mains within .003" with wood? Not possible.
 
Russ is right, the accuracy isn't there. Even if it was, wood will move with temperature and humidity.
 
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