Crank pully wobble fix?

[Impact240sx]

Anyone know a good way to fix this? The keyway is messed up now, the slot for the keyway on the crank is a little wore. I've read this is common on the 2.2 but not many ways on how to fix it. Any idea's?

[DN1911]

off the top of my head the only thing that comes to mind is a new crank, but if you can find an old school repair shop or a good machine shop, they might be able to help you out. i would start with the machine shops...

[worknlikeadog]

you could go to a machine shop and get a bigger key made

[Impact240sx]

Thanks for the advice guys!

[98quiksilvergt]

It c

[Platinum_Racing]

I actually work for a machine shop. While I am considered jack of all trades, my specialty is rework and Class B shot peening. That means I fix parts that don't pass quality inspection. I fix visual flaws like scratches and dents in sheet metal parts, and correct dimensional flaws in cast and machined parts. This kind of repair is what I would do from 7-3:30, Mon-Fri.

 

The first option I would explore....

 

Clean up any burrs/high spots of material in the keyway with sandpaper. Measure the keyway in 4 places, digital or dial calipers are the best way of getting an accurate measurement. Average these 4 numbers together and head to the hardware store or Home Depot. Buy some keystock that most closely matches the average width of the keyway. Cut the keystock to the proper length needed. Grind THE BOTTOM HALF of the keystock to the same width of the keyway. If needed, grind the top half of the key to the same size as the keyway on the pulley. Coat the key with JB Weld if you want. Tap the new custom key into the keyway on the crank. Reinstall the pulley and hope for the best. Remember, if in doubt buy a bigger key than you need and grind it down to size. Measure twice, cut once.

 

Having a key made is a waste. It would be impossible to make a key exactly the correct size because the width of the keyway in the crank is no longer consistent now that its been damaged. One part of the keyway might measure 0.2454 while another part might measure 0.2149. That 30 thousandths is as good as a mile to a machinist, therefore making machining a new key impractical without machining a new keyway into the crank as well. Go into any machine shop, tell them what you're up against and give them the dimensions of a key with a 40 thousandths tolerance. Watch as he raises his eyebrow in disbelief of the new key actually fitting into the keyway. Not only that, but with the going rate of machine time you'll probably pay more than $100 for a single custom key that you could make for $10 and 30 minutes of work. Unless you go to a small shop for automotive stuff they won't even bother. Most machine shops make parts for a specific purpose. Medical, aerospace, marine, electrical, ect. I'm in the aerospace industry, making parts for jet engines. Most automotive shops do engines. Decking blocks, boring cylinders, ect... Other shops wouldn't touch that job unless you wanted to buy 1,000 of them.

 

 

 

The best way would to take the car to a shop for this repair. With a damaged keyway the dimensions aren't going to be consistent enough for a shop to make him a new key. One part of the keyway might be 0.2456 while another could measure 0.2249. That 20 thousands would cause the new key to vibrate and damage something again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come to think of it, this car is getting old. You might as well just get a new OEM key and JB Weld the thing straight into the crank. Who knows how long it will last, but its easier and cheaper than making a key and finding accurate measuring tools.

[worknlikeadog]

dude you just wrote a book but i did read some of it and I was a machinist at one point and if I still worked there I make my own key during work for free, so I dont really see the part where its a waste to do it. In my opinion I would find a friend who does machining at work and have him make one for you. If you dont have a friend who is a machinist go out and build your personal circle some more. I have lots of friends in different fields of work from accounting to professional fake bums in D.C. (they are all fake there so dont give them your money.) When i need something done I cant do myself I go to them first, if they can't help then I spend money.