Nitriding and crank grinding
I dunno. It ends up being the same as a 318/340 cast crank at the mains. Could be ground with a full radius too.
Are you saying mopar cast cranks are weak? NOT! Among the strongest of factory cranks!
My concern (and why I asked about nitriding) has more to do with almost a 1/3 inch of material removed from the mains,what about the factory induction hardening? Is it gone when this much is removed?
I wasn't comparing a Mopar crank to any other make cast crank, did I ?
What I said is a cast crank is weak, as in much weaker then a forged crank.
Cast cranks (ductile iron) have a 100,000 psi tensile strenght @ 50rc (temper hardness).
A forged steel crank has a 140,000 psi tensile strength.
Only 40% better.
Now a 360 main Journal dia. is 2.810", and 273/318/340 main journal dia. is 2.500" dia.
You will be removing .310" dia. (11.5 %) .
Now you do the math, your cast crank is 40% weaker then a forged and you want to take another 11.5 % away from it!
Now do you see were I'm coming from, just trying to save you some grief.
But by all means, it's your crank, your engine, it's your choice.
As far as the factory induction hardening, with this amount of material removed, I would have to say I don't know, but I would not risk it.
Try and sell that crank, and get yourself the one you need.
All the best
