How to Polish a Crankshaft at Home

Here I give some very basic and easy to follow advice on how to polish a crankshaft at home. If you are going to do a rebuild or a refresh on your engine, and your crank is still within spec, then this is a great way to save some money and time on your project. This tutorial is pulled out of our 350 engine revival series.

#sbc #crankshaft #revival #diy #autorepair #chevy #enginerebuild #rebuild #willitrun #smallblockchevy #trending #classiccar #350chevy

Got a hold of a 350 engine out of a 1970's Passenger car. The catch is that this engine is carless. Meaning I don't currently have a vehicle planned for this engine. I'm going to go through it then put it on a stand and make it run. Once that's done I'll figure out a car to put it in (with the viewers help).

[jonathansalgado]

Great video! The only thing I wanted to add was to make sure whatever string you use covers the entire journal. If it’s only covering half of the journal, all of the pressure you’re applying is not being evenly distributed and can cause uneven polishing.

[michaeldvorak]

That looks amazing, thank you. When you do clean the crank, don't forget the oil passages.

[Dannysoutherner]

I did this with a compressor crank that locked up - still works fine several years later.

[staym]

I pretty much do same, except i put ear plugs in oil holes.

[nv]

I've done this before on several cranks, but honestly, the local shop charges $60 to check and polish cranks. Worth it to me.

[christopherpeschier]

Yup...been there done that several times. Good job

[jasontaliaferro]

I always polish my crankshaft at home. What kinda monster does it in public!?!

[ThomasArnesen-xxrb]

Not sure about getting metal polish into the lube oil orifices. I would definitely flush those oil passages when you are done

[adamcvanwinkle]

I’m about to do this on a small block ford. I was feeling pretty bummed when I pulled the caps (trying to avoid machine work) but I feel better now having watched you do it with good results 👍

[jonathanclark]

very nice, thanks; will be trying this out today

[dpierson]

Proper method is to mic it before to make sure the journals are on size, but he didn't have to do the extreme! A fine grit scotch bright pad (only enough to take the varnish off the middle of the journal and close to the radius but before you do that clean the oil passages and then polish..

[tracybennett]

Hence : your bearing clearances may vary, being done by hand !

[tagteamrecoveries]

Very cool Matt ! Thanks for sharing buddy :) ATB - David

[kreasiumum]

Thanks the video, good simple metode.

[alexrojas]

Will this work on the journals on a camshaft? What 800 grit wet or dry sandpaper?

[vipercrazy-]

Do not use red shop rags for cleaning engine internals, they fall apart easily and the fibers will get stuck to parts even after washing then will start to collect on the oil pick up screen after running.

[juharuotsalainen]

at what point should the necks of the cams be polished? if you can't see the marks with your eyes and fingers, does it go away?

[abderrahmanegouasmi]

thank you very much! very helpfull. i will try it this week end! i subscribe then.

[vernonbosshard]

If you use shoe lace you need to move it side to side and not stay in one spot.

[Mrdubomb]

If you wanted too, could you polish a bad main journal down ten thou? Or is that something only a crank grind could accomplish? Asking for a really cheap friend...