Don't store a crank flat, so I have read...

[chromguy]

I read one should not store a crank on it side as it can sag and become out of balance, you should stand it up on the end.
HP Books Engine Builders handbook by Tom Monroe

Egad, is this true??

[contraption22]

I have heard that before. I still find it kind of hard to believe, but I am no expert.

[cordes]

I went to a machine shop which did a ton of very high end tractor pull cranks when I was a kid. There were a ton of them lined up on the floor. A sea of them in one area really and I have no idea how they would get to the ones in the back. My father told me not to knock any of them over because they were $4K each for the cheap ones and we wouldn't be playing that kind of dominos.

Long story short, I store all of mine standing up if for nothing other than to save space. My father had a pile of them that was about waist high at one point and I asked if he was concerned about them being stacked in such a pile. He's a pragmatist and stated that it didn't really make a difference. I'm torn.

[OmniLuvr]

I always store mine on end, every time I visit the machine shop theyre stored on end... cranks are pretty darn heavy, and don't have flat spots to support them if laying down unless supported by the mains, im sure they could sag over time, but how much over how long? sure forged could resist this more but why risk it...

why?

[going4speed]

Old wives tale.

[Vigo]

Cranks do a whole lot of minor bending while running in the engine, and they bounce back. I really doubt that they would actually sag from laying on their side.

I store mine standing up, but on shelves where I won't bounce into them. If you're concerned about knocking one over, leaving a flywheel/flexplate on it would help.

[2.216VTurbo]

I have a very special Ex-IMSA 2L destroked crank that I have waaay to much money into, during my divorce I had to GTFO of my house I'd lived for 20 years, that meant all my cars, tools, and parts too-no minor task I lost that crank in the confusion which wasn't real critical at the time because the project was stalled with big D BS. Long after that My ex found it laying on it's side behind the dryer(she was getting a new one) where it sat for over 3 years. When I wrap up a couple other project tasks I'm hoping to put the resources into the 2L project(for my red 87 GLHS). I'll take it back to the same shop that spent a year building it and ask them to true it and get it ready to install. I'll have them check it in the same jig that they used 5 years ago and see if it's measurably out of round. My gut says old wives tale tho...

[rx2mazda]

I never store my crank flat...It will sag. Then when you go to get it out the baggy, the residue is everywhere and it waste product. Make sure you store your crank vertical!

[2.216VTurbo]

I never store my crank flat...It will sag. Then when you go to get it out the baggy, the residue is everywhere and it waste product. Make sure you store your crank vertical!

You know we're talking about engine parts right Bro?

[Ondonti]

If it's gonna sag on its side, it's gonna sag on each journal when end to end but in different ways. Very subjective concept. Depending on how the counter weights are located very different things could happen in bendy land.

[ajakeski]

Chrysler stored them horizontally, stacked in boxes in the parts department.

[iTurbo]

Chrysler stored them horizontally, stacked in boxes in the parts department.

I think it's an old wives tale. I mean, if I were to store a crank for 10+ years I might worry more about it, but most of the cranks I have are stored horizontally in bags and I've never had a single problem using them in the engines I've built so far. They are stored in bags on carpet though.

[cordes]

I think it's an old wives tale. I mean, if I were to store a crank for 10+ years I might worry more about it, but most of the cranks I have are stored horizontally in bags and I've never had a single problem using them in the engines I've built so far. They are stored in bags on carpet though.

I'm no metallurgist, but I know that mags can be stored loaded indefinitely and they won't suffer from and spring weakening etc. My gut wants me to think this true of all steels so long as they aren't being stressed past the yield point, but I know just enough to have an uneducated opinion.

[2.216VTurbo]

I'm betting my irreplaceable, too much money spent, waited a year for it Ex IMSA 2liter crank on storage bending being an old wives tale

[iTurbo]

I wouldn't worry about it Alan. I'm sure when you install it it will spin like a hot knife through butter.

[ShelGame]

Old wives tale. Steel doesn't creep at room temperature.

If a crank could warp under only it's own weight when stored on it's side, then why wouldn't it also shorten when stored on the end?

I don't know why people persist in believing that a crank could warp under only it's own weight, but be OK in an engine where the piston forces are hundreds of times the cranks own weight?

[going4speed]

I've got a bridge in east Texas for sale...cheap!

[Turbo Joe]

I've got a bridge in east Texas for sale...cheap!

don't sell it to anyone from New England or the tri-state area or we'll make it a toll bridge !! lol

[going4speed]

just like any decent road in houston