crank pulley and key

[tallcoil]

Starting engine assembly and going " by the book". The engine pulley I am using is original to the engine ( April 1930).

The block was rebuilt. The key on the crankshaft sticking out to the front of the gear is a bit wider than the slot in the original pulley.

My question is: Do I file the key down to fit the pulley or file the slot in the pulley to open it up to accept the key? Or a little off both?

easier to file the pulley slot, but is there a safety or mechanical issue involved?

thanks,
Don

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

The original key width is probably listed in the "Parts Price List" which is available from most all of the Model A parts stores. I don't have my PPL handy, but I'd fix the part that isn't the correct dimension.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Yo, Don, I jist asked the Dog & he sed to file the pulley, he sed he'd file it fur you, IF he had THUMBS! Bill W.

 

[colin1928]

I believe it meant to be a interference fit

 

[Mike V. Florida]

My vote, since the key already fits the crankshaft, file the pulley.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

My vote, since the key already fits the crankshaft, file the pulley.

Chief would say, "The easiest way is the BEST way, IF, it does the job PROPERLY"! He was a VERY practical thinker & doer. Bill W.

 

[tallcoil]

thanks for the advice, especially from the Chief dog.
Don

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

thanks for the advice, especially from the Chief dog.
Don

Yo, Tallcoil,
CHIEF, was my Dad & Model A mentor, extraordinaire! The Dog is Buster T., he's my full time Model A expurt, typist, picture manager, BED BUDDY, food tasting expurt, etc. & he WON'T B.S. you!
Bill W.

 

[tallcoil]

thanks for settin' me straight - like that keyway
Don

 

[George Miller]

thanks for settin' me straight - like that keyway
Don

I would not screw up the part that has been right for 80 years. Fix the part that is wrong. It is always best to do things the right way.

But I do not see how any one could get a key that is to wide into the crank and timing gear. Think you should check every thing again.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Tallcoil, Don,
"MAYBE" the builder "WIDENED" the key a little when he pounded it "home" in a keyway that "might" have been a little tight & "fussy"???????
I, personally, wouldn't take it all apart, I'd just file the keyway in the pulley to fit. Be sure to tighten the pulley nut VERY tight. I'd use a little blue Loctite on the threads also.
Bill W.

 

[tallcoil]

I filed the top sharp edges of the key very very slightly, filed the slot in the original pulley, a little at a time, and squared off the curve of the top of the slot on the pulley to get the pulley to seat securely on the key and bottom out on the oil slinger.

I agree with Mr. Miller that I shouldn't have to alter the original pulley, but it was the only practical solution.

Thanks to all and Happy New Year!
Don