cast iron crankshaft

[golden_commando]

Hi, I'd like to know if a cast iron crankshaft will stand in a Hemi with 11.5 cr, probably with stock 284 cam and a cross ram. And also the cross ram fit the 2gen charger original hood?

[Ghoste]

There are cast Hemi cranks?

[golden_commando]

There are cast Hemi cranks?

The crank is from a 440

[red79]

um... a 440 crank won't work in a hemi block

[golden_commando]

um... a 440 crank won't work in a hemi block

why

[b5blue]

The stroke.

[golden_commando]

Sorry, Could you expalin a little better

[FLG]

Dont take my word on it but im pretty sure besides needing an 8 bolt flywheel you can put a hemi crank in a 440, so i assume you can put a 440 crank in a hemi, though you might need different rod lengths.

[red79]

the journals are the same size, and the 440 and hemi have the same stock stroke. the difference is that because hemis generally have heavier rotating assemblies (hemi slugs are chunky beasts), the bobweights on a hemi crank are larger than on a 440.

you can use a 440 crank in a hemi, but you need to pay close attention to balancing it--there's a good chance you'll need to add weight to the crank bobs.


back to the original question of a cast vs. steel RB crank for a hemi, it seems like the external balancer used on a cast crank might make your job even tougher. also, depending on how much HP you plan on making, cast crank might not be strong enough--I think most people opt for a steel crank in builds of around 450 hp and above

[Ghoste]

Given the limited availability of a cast 440 crank versus the forged ones, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you can get this crank for free or next to nothing?  Would it also be fair to guess that you already have a Hemi block and maybe heads too?

[golden_commando]

Well, I'm not planning to use this engine to race or something like this but I already thought of balancing all of it. I know that the 440 crank is 6 bolt flange.  Yes i have several parts for the hemi, the block is a warranty block with casting date of 1973  . The other question is if the cross ram setup fit with the original hood

[FLG]

I honestly think the work that might be involved in getting the block to balance with a cast crank would simply offset the cost of a true hemi crank (do they make aftermarket hemi cranks??)

You will most likely have to put heavy metal in the cast crank to make it neutral balance so you dont need to use a weighted balancer. 

[Ghoste]

I agree, for the price of a forged Hemi crank I would just do that and not have to worry about it.  As for the cross ram, it should fit.

[golden_commando]

At the mopar performance catalog of 09 there's a new forged crank but I don't know about the price, thay also say that it fits 426hemi/wedge/RB engine
Take a look:
''F. Forged Crankshafts - Machined
High-strength, high-quality Forged Crankshafts machined from 4340
steel. For high-performance race applications. Eight-bolt flange.
1 P5007251 Crankshaft, Forged, 3.75" Stroke, Full Radius, Eightbolt,
Balanced, 426 Hemi/ Wedge/ "RB" Engine, Race"

[red79]

FYI you can buy that part number on summit, it's not cheap:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DCC-5007251/

[chargerbr549]

My two cents worth is I would probably try to go with the 440 forged crank I don't they should be too expensive to pick up yet, the six bolt crank set up is easier to buy or find parts for and go with lightweight pistons and hopefully that would keep you from going to external balance or expensive mallory metal. I have a friend of mine that is looking at doing this very same thing since he already has the forged 440 crank and six bolt flywheel and flex plates lying around  and trying to build the Hemi on a budget (still expensive though).

Kevin

[FLG]

You can get a 6 or 8 bolt 440 crank from mancini for pretty cheap

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/crankshafts1.html

[b5blue]

Well bust my buttons.....the stroke is the same......sorry for the error! My bad

[elacruze]

I think trying to build a Hemi on the cheap is silly to begin with, and saving money on the crankshaft is folly. Unless it's a show only car and the motor only needs to run here and there. Steel 440 cranks are plentiful and cheap, no need to insult it with a cast crank.

[golden_commando]

Well, it's not folly when you live more than 4000 miles from the USA and the taxes of importing parts go up +100%.For example I paid U$900 on a set of rocker arms here I needed to paid R$3300 including the ship and all taxes

[elacruze]

OK, I understand your economic punishment. Unfortunate. But the fact remains that if you're going to abuse the motor, that cast crank could cost you a lot more later than the cost of a better one now. Hemis are capable of more power at higher RPM than a wedge, and are much more prone to detonation in hot builds.

What is your goal with the motor? I don't intend to sound argumentative, I'd just hate to see it come apart because the foundation pieces aren't up to their tasks. If you're building a street car with an easy life intended, you could stay around 10:1 compression with an appropriate cam and keep it alive at or below stock HP level.

[greasyspider]

Well, I'm not planning to use this engine to race or something like this but I already thought of balancing all of it. I know that the 440 crank is 6 bolt flange.  Yes i have several parts for the hemi, the block is a warranty block with casting date of 1973  . The other question is if the cross ram setup fit with the original hood

I didn't think hemi's came with warranties