Posted By: beeliever
Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 12:32 AM
I am going with a chrome hardened 3.90inch RB crankshaft in my 440 street strip Superbee. Crankshaft Specialties did the crank. The car has 3.91 rear gears and should run in the high elevens. I will usually run drag radials but I do have slicks for ocassional strip use. The question is if you guys have heard any horror stories about running chrome cranks on the street? I have a friend who said his flaked. Thanks for the help
Posted By: QWK_ENUF
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 12:52 AM
is it the same cost as a regular crank and is there any advantage.
Posted By: Leon441
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 01:00 AM
I have had a crank done in chrome it is harder. The one I ran was a cast crank. Street car never had any trouble. The crank had been ground down and this got it back to standard.
Posted By: jcc
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 01:18 AM
15? Years ago I had Lunati chrome and internally balance a stock cast 360 crank. Not sure exactly why except it cost a bit and I thought it was cool. Seems it was more of an "in" thing years ago before 4340, etc cranks. However it is a rather hard surface and thought someone mentioned slightly less drag, but any dirt, etc in oil needs to imbed into the bearings, because crank surface is rather hard. I suspect flaking is more of the result of the quality of the chroming process, did chrome rings ever flake? I still have the chromed crank Dvorak built motor in a street car.
Posted By: 23T Hemmee
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 05:02 AM
I almost hate to ask....is this Crankshaft Specialties in Memphis?
Posted By: moparmafia
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 05:14 AM
i have run 3 different chrome cranks in street/strip engines over the years. i have never had a problem with any of them flaking. i had one spun rod bearing in one engine and all the crank needed was a light polishing. i put several thousand miles and many passes on it after that. i sold the engine about 7 years ago and he still runs it almost every weekend with the same crank.
Posted By: goldmember
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 05:15 AM
Good ole Doug Rowe,I bet.
Posted By: beeliever
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 06:29 AM
Yes it is in Memphis. Now I almost hate to ask... What do you know about them?
Posted By: goldmember
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 06:47 AM
I used them for years and Doug and the guys did a good job for me,I also lived close enough that I personally dropped off and picked up my parts. Something changed some years ago and it seems that some folks were very unhappy with Doug and CSS. They have closed their doors as far as I know. Back to the question,if it's done correctly the crank will not give you problems.
Posted By: 23T Hemmee
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 06:50 AM
Well, long, long ago they did some pretty good work, I've had a couple of cranks repaired and one hardchromed back to std-std, and I can't say personally I've had bad dealings but I've sure heard some horror stories in the last several years. Google "Crankshaft Specialties in Memphis" and you'll have a nighttime of reading to catch up on. Chances are the crank is fine, but you need to really inspect it closely, especially in the fillet area for any signs of lifting or separation.
Posted By: beeliever
Re: Chrome cranks? - 03/03/11 07:34 PM
Thanks for the info guys! I am going to give it a shot.