Need a new crank, what should I do and where to look?

[69Bee]

Well, in the machine shop business, a lot of things are saved than you might realize. I am about ready to fix a 15" long crack in a '54 235 Chevy block. tried to find one, but the customer wants the original block fixed. I had a steel RB crank with some small cracks that were filed out. I beat the hell out of that motor and NEVER had a problem. Cranks are welded all of the time, both cast and steel, with the exception of cranks with splayed rod journals. There is not enough meat, and they can break.

 

[miller]

Thanks! Guess it would depend on the crack.
Times have changed. Mine was done 40 years ago.

 

[69Bee]

Thanks! Guess it would depend on the crack.
Times have changed. Mine was done 40 years ago.

Yes, it does. Not every crack can be repaired, and ultimately, if the cost to repair is more than replace, the choice should be obvious. If a 350 chevy block needs more than on sleeve, scrap it and get another. The only caviet to that is the 69 DZ Z28 numbers matching Camaro, we put 8 sleeves in that one due to its value.

 

[1967coronet440]

Yes, it does. Not every crack can be repaired, and ultimately, if the cost to repair is more than replace, the choice should be obvious. If a 350 chevy block needs more than on sleeve, scrap it and get another. The only caviet to that is the 69 DZ Z28 numbers matching Camaro, we put 8 sleeves in that one due to its value.

Buddy of mines father has a #’s marching DZ Camaro sitting in his backyard rotting away, won’t do anything with it.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I can't wrap my head around even thinking about welding cracks in a forged crank with so many better options. How can you even consider doing "a build" with the little difference in cost between a used crank or new one vs welding?
The only way I would consider it is if the crank was such a unicorn that a replacement isn't available or much much more costly than the repair.
Do it right, do it once.
And yes, now is the time to weigh stroker options. More useable power, lower RPM to achieve that = less costly cam/lifters/springs and wear and tear, as long as you keep your rods and pistons as light as practical and consider thrust angle and piston speed. IMO-YRMV

 

[dvw]

Blocks, heads, intakes are one thing, cranks are another. I can see welding a journal for size. But for a crack? Would you weld a cracked rod? Not in this lifetime.
Doug