Storing car parts - vertically?

[SteveH-CO]

Over the years, I heard people claim that brake rotors should be stored on edge, and that engine cranks will become bent if stored unsupported. Is there any truth to this? I think it's a crock, but what do you all say?

I can see where you should not have pallets of brake rotors on top of each other, but beyond that, how could a brake rotor or engine crank 'sag under its own weight' (of a single unit)? Is there any empirical evidence that this happens?

Thanks - Steve

 

[The Cobbler]

I would agree with your analogy.
just like patio or sidewalk precast slabs. they are shipped vertically so they don't break, but afew on top of each other won't do a thing. stack 10 or 20, you're liable to break some

 

[matt_i]

Materials science and elastic/plastic deformation would suggest no such phenomena exists.

There is the issue of creep, but that is typically confined to lead (Pb) and certain plastics.

I think if cast iron was subject to creep, engines would constantly have to be re-bored and traditional manual machine tools with dovetailed ways would constantly have to be rescraped.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

It's a space savings thing; no crank or cylinder head that anyone cares about is going to be stored upright on the shop floor or on a bench just waiting to be knocked over.

 

[fourjeepin]

Brake rotors are stored flat at the warehouse and parts house. And at my house.

 

[BillK]

Every crankshaft I have ever purchased has come laying in a box. I have some that have been sitting on the shelf for 20 years and I bet they are fine. I do have a mess of them hanging on a crank rack but that is more for space considerations.

As far as brake rotors go I have a hard time believing that one would warp because it was not stored standing up. More than likely the ones that have been found that way were manufactured warped to begin with

 

[cvairwerks]

Depends on size. Merlin cranks get stored vertically due to both length and throw. The ones I’ve seen stored horizontally, are on storage fixtures that suport it in numerous places. The fixtures eat up lots of flat space. You could store three complete big blocks in about the same square footage. Have to rememer tho, that these cranks are over 5 feet in length and a couple hundred pounds each.

 

[ScottsGT]

Depends on size. Merlin cranks get stored vertically due to both length and throw. The ones I’ve seen stored horizontally, are on storage fixtures that suport it in numerous places. The fixtures eat up lots of flat space. You could store three complete big blocks in about the same square footage. Have to rememer tho, that these cranks are over 5 feet in length and a couple hundred pounds each.

[Homer Simpson voice] Mmmm....Merlinnnn....[Homer Simpson voice]

I want a Merlin. Just to build a car around it. Not that I can afford a Merlin, but a vintage racer with swooping fenders and exposed side headers and an open cockpit would be the ****!

 

[Jeepster04]

I've always heard the same thing. Its big on boat forums that you should hang up the alignment tool for the out drive and not leave it laying around...

 

[Falcon67]

It's a space savings thing; no crank or cylinder head that anyone cares about is going to be stored upright on the shop floor or on a bench just waiting to be knocked over.

They are stuffed in trash bags and ganged up under the bench LOL. They hold each other up.
I've never had an issue with a crank being "bent" without regard to how it was stored. In the interest of space, I usually jam an old balancer on the snout and stand on end. Or in a shipping box that came with another crank.

 

[Sliceddeuce]

google " Barney Pollard"

 

[SteveH-CO]

Thanks for all your excellent responses. The Barney Pollard bit was fun to read!