Crank & Cam storage

[taylorchristie]

Hello all

As my garage is ready for primer and paint I'm designing a work bench/storage center for all my stuff complete with closing doors on everything. Currently I'm trying to figure out the best way to integrate a camshaft/ crankshaft storage center. Lets see what everyone else has. Thanks

 

[taylorchristie]

This is kind of what I had in mind
http://abs-products.com/specialty-tools/crankshaft-racks.shtml

 

[Glenn M.]

Hanging storage looks like the way to go. The ABS stuff looks great. Mine usually sit on the flywheel end on a floor somewhere, with wheel bearing grease protecting the rod, main, and seal surfaces. Haven't had any problems with that yet, but I only ever have one or two out at a time, so a storage rack is kind of a waste of space for me. I never store one horizontally though.
Have you called for any prices yet?

 

[duc916]

Depends on how long you are going to store them. We keep our cranks in a plastic bag with a desiccant pack so they never have surface rust. The cam and lifters are kept in these plastic boxes: http://www.roushyatesparts.com/Cam-Box-p/rye-cambox.htm
We used to hang the cranks like the link you provided, but the boxes and plastic bag gave us better long term protection.

 

[Greatbear]

I've stored camshafts in sections of PVC pipe. Protects them from damage, and they can be sprayed with WD-40 or other oil. Glue a cap on one end, put a rubber cap on the opposite end, you have an airtight container.

 

[Garage5.9]

Im sure you already know but always stand cranks and cams up right while in storage

 

[joe_padavano]

Im sure you already know but always stand cranks and cams up right while in storage

Actually, no, I don't "know". Ignoring for the moment damage potential in one orientation or another, if a crank can't support it's own weight while lying on it's side without distorting, I CERTAINLY don't want it in my engine. Iron and steel are not particularly prone to creep. Yes, they take up less space on end. Does orientation matter? No.

 

[Falcon67]

I oil my cams, wrap then up in something and put them back in the box up on the shelf. Cranks are way up under the bench standing on their tails.

 

[taylorchristie]

Actually, no, I don't "know". Ignoring for the moment damage potential in one orientation or another, if a crank can't support it's own weight while lying on it's side without distorting, I CERTAINLY don't want it in my engine. Iron and steel are not particularly prone to creep. Yes, they take up less space on end. Does orientation matter? No.

I respectfully disagree to an extent. While they can be stored horizontal as they sit in an engine remember they are supported by numerous main bearings that minimize (not eliminate) sag. Working on large cat engines aswell as large turbines you would be amazed the sag you will get just from putting one support at each end. My point of that would be if storing horizontally that you would need support at all main bearing supports if you are keeping it there for any amount of time.

 

[BillK]

I respectfully disagree to an extent.

Taylor,

Even though most of my crankshafts are standing up due to space, I have a couple that have been laying on a shelf in my storage unit next door for at least 10 years and I would bet you dinner that they have not "bent" even a thousandth.

As far as to put on them, wd40 works fine and a plastic bag. The main thing is to have them in an environment where the temperature stays fairly constant.

You guys that insist on wheel bearing grease..... your machine shop hates you Same with putting that mess on cylinder walls. They wont say it but believe me they hate it.

 

[taylorchristie]

I'm not going to take that bet I don't buy other men dinner
Personally I haven't seen a smaller one bent from sitting on a shelf. I have however seen larger cranks (8-10 foot cat cranks) show sag on a dial when not properly supported. Wheel bearing grease is far past overkill in my opinion haha. So tell me do you have a rack you built to store them upright?

 

[BillK]

I have however seen larger cranks (8-10 foot cat cranks) show sag on a dial when not properly supported.

That I might believe. But your typical automotive v-8 .... aint gonna happen

So tell me do you have a rack you built to store them upright?

No we have one wall near the front of the shop and we just stand them up on the flywheel end. I try not to have too many of them sitting around anyway. In my last building we had a rack similar to the ABS one but it was more of a pain that it was worth. If I had a hundred of them to store it would be a different story but I rarely have more than 10 sitting around at any given time. I try to move them in and out and get paid for tham as quick as possible.

 

[joe_padavano]

I have however seen larger cranks (8-10 foot cat cranks) show sag on a dial when not properly supported.

First, we're not talking about a crank from a large diesel, and second, was the deflection permanent or simply an elastic deflection? Again, I would be amazed if you saw any permanent deflection due to a crank simply sitting on it's side.

 

[driver]

Horsepower TV had a tip for cam storage wrapping cams in rollbar padding and zip ties.

 

[taylorchristie]

That's a good tip to avoid damage. As for the large cranks as far as I remember we rotated the crank on the stand and read .002 TIR indicating that it had permanent sag of .001

 

[mike_81]

Horsepower TV had a tip for cam storage wrapping cams in rollbar padding and zip ties.

i think it was 3/4" pipe insulation you can get from the big box stores.

 

[GRX]

Cams can be stored lying flat. Cranks should be hung by the flywheel flange, or standing on end.

That's a good tip to avoid damage. As for the large cranks as far as I remember we rotated the crank on the stand and read .002 TIR indicating that it had permanent sag of .001

That cuts to the heart of the matter. I have seen much worse than 0.001" sag from improper storage. Speaking as a career machinist ... people who believe crank shafts cannot warp and that storage orientation doesn't matter need an education.