burlington crank

Lawrie

Lawrie

Well-known member
Has any one used the new counterweighted crankshaft and insert mains WITHOUT pressure oiling.
I,m putting a new crankshaft in my A that already has the insert mains but no pressure lube.
Is it best to have the pressure lube or will the inserts on the original setup be OK.
thanks.
Lawrie
 
Lawrie, running an expensive crank with out pressure lubrication is like running it with out no oil pressure, the model a turned 1800 to 2200 rpm, with the counter balanced crank your going to tun more than that, probably 3500 rpm or so, go to pressured system
 
I know of many engines with Burlington cranks that have the original oil system and fine results. As long as you continue to drive the car like it is a Model A, and not push it beyond its original intent, it should work fine. If you are going to hot rod it at high rpms oil pressure will help cool the bearings better but you will stress the center main regardless of pressure or gravity oil feed at those rpms.
 
I have a Burlington crank with inserts and the stock oil system. I have no problems but I drive it 35-60 mph. If I want to go faster than that, I drive my Toyota.
 
Our sedan has one of the first Burlington cranks. The mains are babbitt and the rods are new Antique Engine inserted rods. We have about 25,000 miles traveling much of the time at well over 60 MPH. This car has the original oil system and is working fine. Go for the new crank!
 
Lawrie the standard oil system for the mains is good for around 3000 rpm if clean and in good order there are a few ways to improve the system with out going to full pressure
and it is not recommended to drill the burlington
 
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counter balanced cranks neutralise the viberation in the engine leting i spin free, think about a water pump fan with only one blade, slow speed and you wont notice much, but wind it up and see what happens, it comes apart so does the water pump, viberations will kill a non balanced crank, doesnt double the h/p but lets the engine get full power from it
 
I have built several using the Burlington and the original oiling system with no problems and lots of miles. We did have some problems with the replacement seals used on the rear and have since stopped using them. Installing a counterweighted crank by itself won't get you any more RPM's because there are other limiting factors involved. Go mfor the crank and enjoy.
 
I have used 3 with good results. all three inserts, stock oiling. I would not drill the crank. If you do you are asking for it to break at number 4 rod journal. Model A cranks do not have enough meat to drill for pressure oiling. The stock oiling is good for all the RPMS you will use with a stock engine.
 
Regarding drilling an A crank: A few years ago on this forum someone posted plans from back in the '30's on how to convert an A engine for aircraft use. Included were instructions on drilling the crank for pressure oiling! Maybe because the cranks were a lot newer then they weren't worried about breakage? Or a case of what you don't know won't hurt you?
 
Hi Roadster,
How are things in So. Connecticut these days? The Burlington crank is forged and machined in China, with some minor grinding and aligning taking place here in CT. We are rapidly approaching the end of our initial run, and we will not be ordering a second lot, because they sell too slowly to be economically feasible. We do have some "seconds" which were not quite up to spec., which we are re-grinding and re-nidriding and which will be sold directly from our shop, but when they are gone, they will be gone with the vinyl record, with the typewriter, and the dial-telephone.
To answer the initial question, we estimate that splash oiling is good for up to about 3600 rpm, certainly achievable, but not necessarily advisable, in a engine equipped with a counterslung crankshaft. Early in the game we were distressed to see a crank that had broken right along the drill line in one of our cranks, just like tearing a piece of paper along the dotted line... Since that time, we have been advising our customers NOT to drill the web for oil passages.
Meanwhile, Happy Thanksgiving to you and to all in the A hobby. and Happy Motoring!

Chris
 
Chris
Sorry to hear you are not going to make more cranks.
They have been doing well in the cars we used them on. All three are very smooth.
 
I'm also surprised at the news of no more cranks. I thought sales would be increasing with the knowledge of the benefits of having a counterweighted crank, especially a brand new one.
 
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