Woodruff key
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 21
From: Charleston SC
Woodruff key
Would take a book to explain why, but I just had to replace the power steering pump pulley In my '74. Have a couple of questions: Why is there a "Woodruff" key instead of an ordinary key? and: Why is the key too wide for the pulley but fits fine in the shaft? Thanks in advance and have a great week, Bill.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
from Wikipedia: "The main advantage of the Woodruff key is that it eliminates milling a keyway near shaft shoulders, which already have stress concentrations."
can't help you on the too wide for the pulley question....perhaps somebody monkeyed it up trying to remove or install it at some point.
can't help you on the too wide for the pulley question....perhaps somebody monkeyed it up trying to remove or install it at some point.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Would take a book to explain why, but I just had to replace the power steering pump pulley In my '74. Have a couple of questions: Why is there a "Woodruff" key instead of an ordinary key? and: Why is the key too wide for the pulley but fits fine in the shaft? Thanks in advance and have a great week, Bill.
A Woodruff key IS an ordinary key but it just looks a bit different that a straight key. If you have trouble getting the pulley started over the key take a small Bastard file and bevel the end of the key a tiny bit and also the edges of the keyway in the pulley.
Keys and key ways are standardized according to the shaft size so they are both the correct size.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 21
From: Charleston SC
GM #3834720. I believe this was the only single groove cast iron pump pulley used (at least on corvettes) from mid-60s thru '74. I filed the key a bit and it seems to work. At some point I guess I'll find out. I can safely say that it would not fit without filing. Have a wonnerful week, Bill.
