Crank end-play question -

[orangecrush]

I don't want to stop for the day - crank end play seems to be about .0015 - do I have to get the thrust bearings shaved or can this ride ?

 

[demon seed]

I don't want to stop for the day - crank end play seems to be about .0015 - do I have to get the thrust bearings shaved or can this ride ?

That's a little on the tight side should be .002-.006". make sure that there is no oil on the thrust faces when checking, this could give ya another .0005".
Also before fully tightening the crank cap that holds the thrust bearing force the crank in both directions to make sure the bearing faces are fully aligned to each other. This might get you another .0005".

Terry

 

[340sFastback]

If you can't get it to .002" by aligning the cap the book How To Rebuild Small Block Mopars suggests this procedure: remove bearing and using 320 grit sand paper lay paper on a flat surface and lap bearing face across to remove some bearing material. Use a micrometer to measure how much has been removed.

 

[ramcharger]

Did you seat your thrust bearings before torquing the mains down? Loosen your main cap bolts/nuts and thread the bolts/nuts down until their just finger tight. Use a large screwdriver or prybar and pry the crank fore and aft 2 or three times to seat the thrust bearings. This doesn't take a whole lot of force so be careful. Once this is done, re-torque the caps to spec and measure again. You mave have found the extra .0005 clearance you were looking for. If not, do as 340s suggested.

 

[lenweiler]

If you can't get it to .002" by aligning the cap the book How To Rebuild Small Block Mopars suggests this procedure: remove bearing and using 320 grit sand paper lay paper on a flat surface and lap bearing face across to remove some bearing material. Use a micrometer to measure how much has been removed.

Ditto............