Found a new project. Ram D250

[33 IMP]

So the engine is apart. #3/4 rod bearing were spun and melty. Journal on the crank looks like you would expect it to look. Also, #8 rod journal is grooved and catches a nail.
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Also, there is a tight spot when turning over the crank with a wrench. I haven't pulled the caps off yet but they are loose.

Block looks fine.

I can get a remanufactured short block for $1059, or do I have this machined and worked on?

That depends....
Do you trust the rebuilder?
Do you have a competent local machine shop/crank grinder that you trust?
Does it look like you'll need to bore it, or just re-ring?
In the old days, I would have just bought a crank kit from a rebuilder shop, and sized a couple rods (or bought a couple already done).

 

[33 IMP]

I think I am going to modify my engine hoist by welding up the pull arm in the long position and adding a longer arched strap on top.

Longer boom doesn't help much without longer legs.

 

[threewood]

Longer boom doesn't help much without longer legs.

It would be factory longest setting. Problem is there isn't much meat on the extension so it was flexing down.

 

[threewood]

That depends....
Do you trust the rebuilder?
Do you have a competent local machine shop/crank grinder that you trust?
Does it look like you'll need to bore it, or just re-ring?
In the old days, I would have just bought a crank kit from a rebuilder shop, and sized a couple rods (or bought a couple already done).

I don't know any shops nearby and have only done a quick search in nearby cities. The bores look good so I would keep stock pistons and run a dingle ball hone with new rings.

What does a crank kit consist of?

 

[Triplegreen500]

It would be factory longest setting. Problem is there isn't much meat on the extension so it was flexing down.

Probably easiest to retract the boom one or two positions into the base, sleeve the lift end, and put an extension there. Then add your larger upper strap brace.

 

[threewood]

I can get a remanufactured crank for $375, plus new main/rod bearings, rings to get it going.

 

[Triplegreen500]

What does a crank kit consist of?

Generally, the crankshaft (pick your size for mains and rods), bearings (again, pick your sizes), end seals and gaskets. You can also decide if you want to do a stroker at this point...

You'll need to have a machine shop work your block first though, so you know what size bearings you need to get for the mains (i.e. how far they had to bore the bearing surfaces to clean them up). Then you get your "0.0xx oversize" main bearings, for whatever size crankshaft journals you go with. Same deal if you're keeping the rods - have a shop clean up the journals and spec the oversize bearings for them, to match whatever journal size is on the crankshaft.

Or...depending on your budget and desire, you can get a "balanced assembly" of crank, rods, pistons, bearings, etc, that are all weight-matched and balanced as an assembly - but again, get your block work done first so you know what sizes you'll need (main journals, final bore size).

 

[33 IMP]

I don't know any shops nearby and have only done a quick search in nearby cities. The bores look good so I would keep stock pistons and run a dingle ball hone with new rings.

What does a crank kit consist of?

Reground crank, matching main and rod bearings. Google'd 318 crank kit, found one for $188, plus shipping and tax. I don't know if that's with or without a core.

 

[threewood]

Reground crank, matching main and rod bearings. Google'd 318 crank kit, found one for $188, plus shipping and tax. I don't know if that's with or without a core.

Gotcha! The one I found for $375 shipped includes the bearings. I need to pull the crank, see what I have and take some journal measurements.

 

[Triplegreen500]

Get your block line-honed first if there's any sign of wear or damage to the journals. Hell, get it done anyway. better safe than sorry.

 

[33 IMP]

Pull the main caps, looking for a spun main bearing. If they're good, no need to send it to a machine shop, unless you wanna check for cracks (a good idea!).