welded crankshaft oil holes

Jakno

Jakno

Senior Member
I am having engine work done to my 1946-1948 ,59AB engine. Part of the work will involve the crankshaft which was re-ground .010 - .010 .in 2014.
The machinist that is doing the work is puzzled why the oil holes in the crank were all welded shut except one (middle one I think ).
The work on this engine in 2014 was done by an experienced flat head mechanic.

Would you share any thoughts on why this was done ?.
 

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Please supply a picture of the "middle one" so we know what you are referencing. What you show welded up are where there originally were plugs from drilling the crank for oil passages to the rod throws. Most people who are concerned about these plugs remove the drive in style when cleaning the crank out and tap them for an allen plug.
 
My guess is after removing plugs to clean passages holes were welded just to close. Was faster than sourcing new plugs or taping for a pipe plug.
 
Big mistake. Get another crank is my advice. You are not able clean it correctly now to include any welding splatter that may be in cavity & come loose a a later date destroying your fine engine. My $.02.
 
I don't see what you say is there. They are tapped and threaded with screw in plugs. I don't see any welding.? Miscommunication I think.
 
Oops my bad. Yes Russ is correct. I guess I need new glasses or should use computer for pics not phone. Look correct as Russ stated
 
Possibly 4 tack welds or 'stake' marks.
Considering that there are four journals what is the middle one?
 
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Looks like they tacked it to hold the plug in place. Grind it off if possible to remove the plug. I think its save able
 
Looks to be the stock soft-plugs to me . . . staked in to ensure they stay in place (which is the right thing to do).

If the picture is of your crankshaft and your machinist is talking about welded cleanout plugs (which I don't see) - then maybe you should find a new machinist. I know I would . . . as he obviously knows nothing about Flatheads!
 
Aren't they just stake marks, done with a chisel? I can't see welds or screw in plugs. This isn't a 59AB type crank, it must be 8BA. The older ones only have one hole per journal and
No chamber in the throw.
 
Mart said:
Aren't they just stake marks, done with a chisel? I can't see welds or screw in plugs. This isn't a 59AB type crank, it must be 8BA. The older ones only have one hole per journal and
No chamber in the throw.
Click to expand...

It looks like a 49-53 8BA Ford crank to me. Not sure if any of the Canadian 59X variants had clear-out plugs in the throws (have never taken one apart).
 
Thanks to everyone who responded. You have helped solve the mystery of what these holes are and that they present no problem to the rebuild. I admire your knowledge of thing s like this on the Ford barn.
 
I just took a 53 engine apart that was built 35 years ago and never fired. When I got it open, all 4 crank plug holes were welded up solid. Too bad because it is a nice clean crank.
 
After blowing the picture way up, I do see that the stock plugs are there and like Mart said, is just staked with a chisel. Without enlarging the picture it looks like a bad weld and since the OP said they were welded up, led me down the wrong path!! Crank is probably fine.
 
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