Forged or Cast Crank

T

The Dan

New Member

Jul 16, 2003

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Orange County, CA

Aug 30, 2004

#1

• Aug 30, 2004

• #1

When considering the crank option for a 331 stroker, what would justify the forged crank over a cast crank? What are you gaining with the forged crank for the price. Pistons and conn. rods I get, but a cast crank that is stress relieved and shot peened is pretty robust ehh? Anyways, input is appreciated. One other thing is I am considering NOS or a Paxton, would that make much of a difference in the decision? I ask also because I currently own an 02 Harley SuperCrew, and it it supercharged, but I doubt it has a forged crank and so far it has held up well, so again, I'm wondering what makes the forged so much better. Thanks.

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

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Apr 8, 2001

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#2

• Aug 30, 2004

• #2

how much power do you want your engine to make and what will the car be used for?

 

rbohm

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Apr 12, 2002

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tucson,az

Aug 30, 2004

#3

• Aug 30, 2004

• #3

if oyu are going racing with this engine, then get the forged crank. for the street the cast crank will done just fine. remember that bob glidden was turning 9500 rpm regularly with a prepped cast crank in his 351c based pro stock engines, with virtually no crank failures. when the nascar boys got around to small blocks in the early 70's many cup cars also used cast crank in 351c engines with few crank failures. and of course there were no forged cranks that were economically available in the mid 60's so most race teams in the lower classes used cast cranks, again the failure rate was relatively low.

 

N

nosaj122081

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Mar 5, 2003

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West Virginia

Aug 30, 2004

#4

• Aug 30, 2004

• #4

I went with a cast crank for my 393 for one simple reason; I doubt very highly it would be the first part to go from power since I'm using a factory block. Same reason I don't regret buying forged I-beams over H-beams, I figure the block would give way before them. I've heard of tons of split blocks and such, but very few broken cranks, and I think thats probably the reason. FWIW, I'm hoping for around 400 RWHP with my 393 and I'm not worried about the crank.

 

Route666

Active Member

Aug 16, 2003

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Brisbane, Australia

Aug 30, 2004

#5

• Aug 30, 2004

• #5

Holy moly, about 5 minutes ago I was comtemplating asking the dss racing people almost the exact same question. I think I will, I'll report back when they give me a reply.

 

mdjay

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Dec 9, 2003

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Las Vegas, NV

Aug 30, 2004

#6

• Aug 30, 2004

• #6

Although forged is stronger, without a doubt, forged cranks are mainly for extreme duty applications. Cast should hold up fine in just about all street applications and can take plenty of HP.

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

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Aug 30, 2004

#7

• Aug 30, 2004

• #7

to shed some light...

I have a 500hp (hopefully) stroker...NA...with a cast crank

 

PoliceInterceptor

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Live in GA, But could be any where really.

Aug 30, 2004

#8

• Aug 30, 2004

• #8

If you are going to spray it or supercharge it, i'd go with a forged. They are reasonably priced (for a small block)when compared to polishing, shot peening and reconditioning a cast crank.

Although this is not a Ford crank, here is a crank that came out of a professionally built engine with about 300hp. It was aid to have 7000 miles on it.

See quote below for pic.

No need to squander bandwidth.

 

D

D.Hearne

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Sep 29, 2000

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south louisiana

Aug 30, 2004

#9

• Aug 30, 2004

• #9

PoliceInterceptor said:

If you are going to spray it or supercharge it, i'd go with a forged. They are reasonably priced (for a small block)when compared to polishing, shot peening and reconditioning a cast crank.

Although this is not a Ford crank, here is a crank that came out of a professionally built engine with about 300hp. It was aid to have 7000 miles on it.

Click to expand...

Let me guess------- Chevy crank? Right ?

 

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Route666

Active Member

Aug 16, 2003

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Brisbane, Australia

Aug 30, 2004

#10

• Aug 30, 2004

• #10

I'm no real professional, but that crank looks like it had other problems as well. The scoring in the middle of the journal looks like it had crap in the oil. Or is that normal?

 

mustang70

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Nov 15, 2001

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San Diego

Aug 30, 2004

#11

• Aug 30, 2004

• #11

Route666 said:

I'm no real professional, but that crank looks like it had other problems as well. The scoring in the middle of the journal looks like it had crap in the oil. Or is that normal?

Click to expand...

That's normal. It's the split between the two rods.

I understand the difference between cast and forged, but what about cast steel as opposed to cast iron?

 

Route666

Active Member

Aug 16, 2003

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Brisbane, Australia

Aug 30, 2004

#12

• Aug 30, 2004

• #12

Ohhh yeh, it's a V engine, not a straight. Ta!

 

PoliceInterceptor

Keeper Of Automotive Oddities

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Live in GA, But could be any where really.

Aug 31, 2004

#13

• Aug 31, 2004

• #13

Yean it is out of one of those off brand small blocks.

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

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Aug 31, 2004

#14

• Aug 31, 2004

• #14

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr,

where do my posts go when I post????

Here is some more info....Ford makes crate motors with 350hp...and they use stock, cast cranks.