Is this crank shaft ok .

[Oarwhat]

Hi, all I just bought a nineteen seventy five.Dodge dart with a three eighteen. Pull the tranny out.So I decided I would drop the oil pan while I had space.
The three middle main bearings are worn more than the ends down to copper. Nothing too crazy.They are marked 1997. My question is there are some lines on the crankshaft.I've seen this before, and I think it's okay to rebearing.I've attached some pictures for your opinion. The scratches look worse in the photos than in person.

Rod bearings look good.The crankshaft looks good on the rod ends.

 

[ch1ll]

That crank looks to need grinding IMO.

 

[ProjectBazza]

Personally, I wouldn't run it unless it was going in some sort of beater that I didn't care about.

If that's the case here (I'm not making a judgement call, mind you!) Plastigage is your friend.

 

[RustyRatRod]

My internet micrometer says no.

 

[ch1ll]

Looks like lack of regular oil changes and very dirty oil.

 

[missing linc]

Doesn't make sense to put new bearings on the crankshaft without at least having it checked/resized if necessary. Unless you're just looking to get it mobile for the short term before you drop in a new engine.

 

[MOPAROFFICIAL]

Polish the crank with 400 emory, buy some cheap *** ebang bearings, use a high volume pump and send it.

 

[Map63Vette]

Looks like lack of regular oil changes and very dirty oil.

Wouldn't the rod bearings show it as well though? Seems weird to me the mains would have a lot of wear and the rods be okay. It's almost like the crank is bowed slightly to make it wear the center three more than the outer ones.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

I wouldn't waste the Gaskets. 318's are cheap at U-pull-its. That is destined for problems. If the mains are that bad whats the cam bearings and lifters look like. Where did all that metal go?

 

[RustyRatRod]

I wouldn't waste the Gaskets. 318's are cheap at U-pull-its. That is destined for problems. If the mains are that bad whats the cam bearings and lifters look like. Where did all that metal go?

This ^^^^^^

 

[340six]

This ^^^^^^

I agree. Be just shy of a half can of paint to be Facebook Full Rebuild

 

[Mattax]

There you go, a wide range of options!
Plastigage for sure if you're considering running it. Cheap, or was fairly cheap, I haven't bought any recently. Then you'll know how bad they are.
Seems like you may be looking for a 318-904 combo when the snow clears...

 

[Oarwhat]

This ^^^^^^

Okay, guys, I get it.But the pictures make look much worse than what it is. Thanks for all the replies.I have a lot of thinking to do.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Okay, guys, I get it.But the pictures make look much worse than what it is. Thanks for all the replies.I have a lot of thinking to do.

If you can run a thumbnail over it and feel ANYTHING it's not better than it looks and I can tell you now, you can feel something. Put junk together if you want to. It's your money.

 

[Garrett Ellison]

With the three center mains showing copper and the bearings being from 1997, there's a good chance it's a reman that went out without the crank being checked for straightness.

 

[George Jets]

Try cleaning up that crank with some 400 grit to remove the "Aluminum" transfer from that bearing insert that is down to copper. Then polish the crank with Crocus Cloth and WD-40, new bearings and then do the plasti-gauge thing to make sure within tolerance.

They can look a lot worse than they actually are... all good here.


.

 

[413]

Maybe they recently changed the rod bearings, that's why they look good.

Fingernail test.

Polish it at home and run it. While looking for another engine.

 

[moparmat2000]

Turn it .010" under on the rods and mains and run it.

 

[Oarwhat]

Try cleaning up that crank with some 400 grit to remove the "Aluminum" transfer from that bearing insert that is down to copper. Then polish the crank with Crocus Cloth and WD-40, new bearings and then do the plasti-gauge thing to make sure within tolerance.

View attachment 1716511824

View attachment 1716511825

They can look a lot worse than they actually are... all good here.

Wow I can't believe all the responses Thanks !! Everyone has there own experiences. With my previous experiences I'll agree with George Jets. then If does blowup I'll purchase a cheap upickit engine as others have said. Thanks again!

 

[George Jets]

Wow I can't believe all the responses Thanks !! Everyone has there own experiences. With my previous experiences I'll agree with George Jets. then If does blowup I'll purchase a cheap upickit engine as others have said. Thanks again!

New oil pump too ^^^.


.

 

[MOPAROFFICIAL]

This ^^^^^^

You can get a gasket set for under a hundred bucks...everything for 150.00.... less than finding another 318
Enginetech RMCR318B Engine ReRing Overhaul Kit for 1974-1989 Chrysler Dodge 318 5.2L

 

[Mattax]

Old or new pump, if working from underneath make sure you keep it snug against the block as you screw it on. Otherwise you will crack it. Don't ask me how I first learned this.

Also if the clearences a big and you decide on a high volume pump, the oil pan may contact due to the taller rotors.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Wow I can't believe all the responses Thanks !! Everyone has there own experiences. With my previous experiences I'll agree with George Jets. then If does blowup I'll purchase a cheap upickit engine as others have said. Thanks again!

I wish you luck! What you have and what he's talking about are two different things. You don't have bearing transfer. You have scores from debris in the oiling system whether it was dirt, or metal. Either one should have the engine torn down and cleaned up, because there's no way to get it all out of the engine without doing that. So, that means your new parts will be not new parts real quick. Maybe you should have entitled your thread "Give me only answers I want to hear", instead. But again, I wish you luck. Sometimes, just sometimes, the filter will catch most of it. If you change the oil IMMEDIATELY after initial startup and run in, you might can get most of it out. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Bewy]

I would get the crank professionally linished & then measure afterwards.

 

[Oarwhat]

Rusty Rat I do agree with your thinking. I need to make a decision on this. I'll let you know.