how to measure crankshaft end play

[tomleemotors]

we have 1950 8BA in a 47 ford car , is there a way to get a close end play measurement 0f the crankshaft ? One shop told me .006 another said .014
my head hurts , thx tom

 

[cas3]

on old loose motors you can usually just push the flywheel in and out by hand, or with a pry bar. set up a dial indicator and see the readings when you move it. if no indicator i imagine you could set up something to measure off and do it with feeler gauges

 

[VeryTangled]

we have 1950 8BA in a 47 ford car , is there a way to get a close end play measurement 0f the crankshaft ? One shop told me .006 another said .014
my head hurts , thx tom

Is the question how? Or how much?

cas3 has much of it. Generally the how, uses a dial indicator placed at one end of the crank while shoving said crank back and forth in a sensible manner frequently with prying tools.

The how much answer I don't have for your application. Let's see who chimes in.

 

[19Fordy]

According to the Motors Repair Manual the crankshaft endplay for the 1952-53 V-8 239 cu. in engine is .004 to .008 in. I would think 1950 engine would be the same.

 

[Brendan]

on old loose motors you can usually just push the flywheel in and out by hand, or with a pry bar. set up a dial indicator and see the readings when you move it. if no indicator i imagine you could set up something to measure off and do it with feeler gauges

with my model a i can measure it with a tape measure...lol
I had a chevy 350 tat the end play must hafe been 1/4 inch

 

[Frank Miller]

After you measure the end play what happens if it is excessive? I was told it is more critical on a standard transmission because you push on the crank when you step on the clutch so the crank is constantly moving back and forth where it will just find a happy place with an automatic.

 

[Bored&Stroked]

I try to stay within the spec . . . otherwise either the thrust surfaces of the rear main bearings are worn, or the crank thrust surfaces . . . or both.