230 Crank Journal Wear Question

[mach0415]

Hello folks. I have a 230 question. Has anyone else noticed issues with the center two crankshaft main bearing journals ridging (raised up and worn convex) in the area of the bearings' oil channel? The ends do not apparently have an issue. Is this indicative of a bent crankshaft?

[54Illinois]

I have a used 230 crank, I can check. Also, from another post you spoke of 218 rods. Are you going to use the 218 rods with the 230 crank?

[Rusty O'Toole]

Hello folks. I have a 230 question. Has anyone else noticed issues with the center two crankshaft main bearing journals ridging (raised up and worn convex) in the area of the bearings' oil channel? The ends do not apparently have an issue. Is this indicative of a bent crankshaft?

Do the bearings have grooves? This might account for it. You could have it checked by a machine shop to find out if it is bent. They will be able to tell you if it can be ground down or not. If it can, they can grind it for you. It will need to be ground in any case if it shows that much wear.

[mach0415]

I have a used 230 crank, I can check. Also, from another post you spoke of 218 rods. Are you going to use the 218 rods with the 230 crank?

I dont think you can, can you? a 230 crank with 218 rods would cause the pistons to protrude from the block surface by few 16ths of an inch, I think.

[mach0415]

Do the bearings have grooves? This might account for it. You could have it checked by a machine shop to find out if it is bent. They will be able to tell you if it can be ground down or not. If it can' date=' they can grind it for you. It will need to be ground in any case if it shows that much wear.[/quote']

The bearings have the typically manufactured oil grooves you find on main shells. Yeah, it would definitely need to be ground. This is the first crank I have seen worn this way. I just didn't know if the steel on flattie six cranks was softer, and therefore a characteristic of wear with age.

Edited June 3, 2012 by mach0415

[Rusty O'Toole]

I don't think they were soft. In fact everything I can find out indicates the Chrysler made engines used better materials, better design and more accurate workmanship than their main rivals.

The flathead motors came from a time when hiway speeds were 45 or 50 MPH. Higher speeds led to faster wear on all makes.

My answer would be use quality parts, carefully fitted. Use the modern low tension piston rings or moly filled rings. Break in the engine carefully then use synthetic oil and of course, a good oil filter and air filter.

With these precautions it should be possible to extend engine life to 100,000 miles or more.

[1941Rick]

I would say that if it is a high miler this is normal wear. The top shell has an oil groove. I have also heard where guys buy 2 sets of bearings and put 2 uppers to get better oiling.

Poor maintenence will also cause the crank to wear like that.

[54Illinois]

How did you happen to end up with a 230 crank and 218 rods? Are you putting an engine together? The 230 rods are shorter than the 218, thus increasing the H.P. by stroke. From my comparisons, the 230 block and 218 block are the same (at least my 1954's were).

[mach0415]

I have a 230 and a 218. I was looking at making the 218 a stroker using the 230 crank, rods and pistons, because the 218 block is in better overall shape.

[54Illinois]

I have a 230 and a 218. I was looking at making the 218 a stroker using the 230 crank, rods and pistons, because the 218 block is in better overall shape.

My 230 block and 218 block are from the same cast. The numbers match exactly. Both are from 54 Plymouths. One was a Hy Drive(early 54) the other a PowerFlite(late 54).

Possibly yours are the same?

[mach0415]

Well the 218 is a 39 dodge. The 230 is a 50 dodge with fluid drive.