Crank polishing

[MOPAROFFICIAL]

I did my 1st slant 6 this way.
Drive that sob 160k before I sold it.
I remember checking the bearings when fixing an oil leak in the pan... they were perfect...like new.

The initial condition of the crankshaft makes a whole lot of difference as to how it comes out in the end.
I used 400 cloth and some light oil.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Took a video of Steve polishing a Ford crank today and measuring it. The finish was like chrome when ha was done. Changed the grit once. I wanted to give it a try. He said No!

 

[6PakBee]

I've used the wet-or-dry method with solvent and a cord numerous times. It's not that difficult nor time consuming. Hell, you are only polishing it, not trying to grind it undersize!

 

[eekvonzipper]

Just straight 6% cleaning vinegar from the grocery store.

Submerge in the dunk tank overnight for 12 hours. Can polish up the counter weights with a scotch brite and some WD-40 at the end, shines and protects.

Degrease the crank with brake parts cleaner or solvent before doing the vinegar dunk so it is clean of oil. Then you can pour the used vinegar back into the jugs to save for the next clean up project.

Just a word of caution for those doing this for the first time. You want to stay off the knurling at the rear main seal area, that is what helps push the oil back into the engine at the seal area.

Good Luck

Tried this... All of the Journals were completly Rusted after about 20 minutes in the soak.
Cleaning Vinegar in a Clean Solvent Tank. I hope it's not Ruined! I'm going over it with Wd40 and Scotch Brite now.
Should I neutralize it with water and Baking Soda? I don't want it to be in a pile when I come out tomorrow.
I drained the Solvent Tank and Most the Paint in the bottom came out with it... Geez. I wish I had never tried this now!

 

[Jadaharabi]

Tried this... All of the Journals were completly Rusted after about 20 minutes in the soak.
Cleaning Vinegar in a Clean Solvent Tank. I hope it's not Ruined! I'm going over it with Wd40 and Scotch Brite now.
Should I neutralize it with water and Baking Soda? I don't want it to be in a pile when I come out tomorrow.
I drained the Solvent Tank and Most the Paint in the bottom came out with it... Geez. I wish I had never tried this now!

.
If you drained your tank an the paint came off the bottom from having vinegar in it, that was not caused by the vinegar. That was because whoever painted your parts washer painted over rusty metal. Vinegar attacks rust not paint.
If your crank is submerged completely in the vinegar solution there is no way it is covered with rust. You must have removed it from the solution and not rinsed it off, in order for it to rust.

 

[barracudadave67]

Well, I went to Menards, and bought a "window flower box", to soak cranks in. Its a little snug but it will work. They are plastic so the vinegar will have no effect on the box. You have to silicone up the two drains in the bottom, or you will loose the vinegar.
Dave