28-02-2019, 10:17 AM
(27-02-2019, 11:23 PM)Mark McKibbin Wrote: I am about to replace my crank so this interests me, however with the preloaded bearings there would be no end play at all but surely a single track ball race would have some, and over time would this could effect the timing gears?
I bought a 'used' engine from the late Mick Kirkland for my Saloon. It was fairly worn but a runner (and mick was 100% honest as you would expect and the price reflected it). It went in my saloon after some TLC which included loctiting the loose inner rear race on the crank. Decoke, some studs etc. At the time I was young (17) and whilst I noticed a lot of end float in the crank (approx 1/16 inch) but went with it in anycase.
The engine went like a rocket, was smooth and quiet, yet it burnt a lot of oil, and made lots of smoke out of the valve chest cover. I did lots of miles in it.
Eventually, say 5000 miles later, it developed an intermittent knock arriving at Kemble near Cirencester having driven there from Whichurch (Salop) via my work in Birmingham. I nevertheless drove it home after the event, via Birdlip, Hope Under Dinmore A49 etc.
When I eventually took the engine out and dismantled it, I found nearly 1/8 of end float on the crank which allowed the crank to touch the cam centre bearing, the source of the intermittent knock. There was also about 50 tho end float on the cam. There was no visible issues with the timing gears, and I think they are currently on the engine in my chummy. It was a earlyish coil engine, so a ball and a roller front.
So in My experience, suggests not.