Crane Closes
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 515
Likes: 3
From: newark DE
how much worse is this economy going to get? Crane has been around for a looong time and sold TONS of products... if they folded, whos next?
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Go'n 2 Surf City.. it's 2 to 1
Some questions for you.
1. Name the last time you saw a Crane Cam used in a magazine
motor build up. (my answer- can't remember maybe the 80's)
2. Name the last time you suggested a friend buy a Crane cam.
I wouldn't be surprised if Crane had been selling more rockers and
lifters than Cams. I honestly can't remember any "whizz bang" cams
that they'd come out with that alot of enthusiast praised in the
last 20 years.... anyone?.... Bueller??
Sometimes "old Company" means lazy management stuck in their
ways and basking in former success just riding the "same ol" till
retirement.
I like Crane rockers and lifters-likely wouldn't run there cams.
Gotta stay on top of your game.. stay current.. be relevant
and put out good product that serves your customers. That
wasn't happening.
Crane was stagnant.. not entirely surprising. I feel sorry for the
workers but not the execs. They sold the company to mediocrity
long ago.
1. Name the last time you saw a Crane Cam used in a magazine
motor build up. (my answer- can't remember maybe the 80's)
2. Name the last time you suggested a friend buy a Crane cam.
I wouldn't be surprised if Crane had been selling more rockers and
lifters than Cams. I honestly can't remember any "whizz bang" cams
that they'd come out with that alot of enthusiast praised in the
last 20 years.... anyone?.... Bueller??
Sometimes "old Company" means lazy management stuck in their
ways and basking in former success just riding the "same ol" till
retirement.
I like Crane rockers and lifters-likely wouldn't run there cams.
Gotta stay on top of your game.. stay current.. be relevant
and put out good product that serves your customers. That
wasn't happening.
Crane was stagnant.. not entirely surprising. I feel sorry for the
workers but not the execs. They sold the company to mediocrity
long ago.
Last edited by ZLX; Feb 26, 2009 at 01:41 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,628
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood, Arkansas
Some questions for you.
1. Name the last time you saw a Crane Cam used in a magazine
motor build up. (my answer- can't remember maybe the 80's)
2. Name the last time you suggested a friend buy a Crane cam.
I wouldn't be surprised if Crane had been selling more rockers and
lifters than Cams. I honestly can't remember any "whizz bang" cams
that they'd come out with that alot of enthusiast praised in the
last 20 years.... anyone?.... Bueller??
Sometimes "old Comany" means lazy management stuck in their
ways and basking in former success just riding the "same ol" till
retirement.
I like Crane rockers and lifters-likely wouldn't run there cams.
Gotta stay on top of your game.. stay current.. be relevant
and put out good product that serves your customers. That
wasn't happening.
Crane was stagnant.. not entirely surprising. I feel sorry for the
workers but not the execs. They sold the company to mediocrity
long ago.
1. Name the last time you saw a Crane Cam used in a magazine
motor build up. (my answer- can't remember maybe the 80's)
2. Name the last time you suggested a friend buy a Crane cam.
I wouldn't be surprised if Crane had been selling more rockers and
lifters than Cams. I honestly can't remember any "whizz bang" cams
that they'd come out with that alot of enthusiast praised in the
last 20 years.... anyone?.... Bueller??
Sometimes "old Comany" means lazy management stuck in their
ways and basking in former success just riding the "same ol" till
retirement.
I like Crane rockers and lifters-likely wouldn't run there cams.
Gotta stay on top of your game.. stay current.. be relevant
and put out good product that serves your customers. That
wasn't happening.
Crane was stagnant.. not entirely surprising. I feel sorry for the
workers but not the execs. They sold the company to mediocrity
long ago.
You're exactly right.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 82
From: Toronto ontario
SUcks to hear but kind of not surprised. they were not at the forefront for any specific product. Comp cams eclipsed them long ago with aggressive marketing and became the 'norm' for custom cams. Too much competition in the ignition box market. Roller rockers were rumored to be the best way back when but now theres tons of made in china rockers that are so much cheaper. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Some questions for you.
1. Name the last time you saw a Crane Cam used in a magazine
motor build up. (my answer- can't remember maybe the 80's)
2. Name the last time you suggested a friend buy a Crane cam.
I wouldn't be surprised if Crane had been selling more rockers and
lifters than Cams. I honestly can't remember any "whizz bang" cams
that they'd come out with that alot of enthusiast praised in the
last 20 years.... anyone?.... Bueller??
Sometimes "old Comany" means lazy management stuck in their
ways and basking in former success just riding the "same ol" till
retirement.
I like Crane rockers and lifters-likely wouldn't run there cams.
Gotta stay on top of your game.. stay current.. be relevant
and put out good product that serves your customers. That
wasn't happening.
Crane was stagnant.. not entirely surprising. I feel sorry for the
workers but not the execs. They sold the company to mediocrity
long ago.
1. Name the last time you saw a Crane Cam used in a magazine
motor build up. (my answer- can't remember maybe the 80's)
2. Name the last time you suggested a friend buy a Crane cam.
I wouldn't be surprised if Crane had been selling more rockers and
lifters than Cams. I honestly can't remember any "whizz bang" cams
that they'd come out with that alot of enthusiast praised in the
last 20 years.... anyone?.... Bueller??
Sometimes "old Comany" means lazy management stuck in their
ways and basking in former success just riding the "same ol" till
retirement.
I like Crane rockers and lifters-likely wouldn't run there cams.
Gotta stay on top of your game.. stay current.. be relevant
and put out good product that serves your customers. That
wasn't happening.
Crane was stagnant.. not entirely surprising. I feel sorry for the
workers but not the execs. They sold the company to mediocrity
long ago.
Another set of Crane users are the Harley-Davidson crowd (naahhh, not many of those guys around)
Magazine builds? Those are nothing more than paid advertisements, whomever "steps up" (and provide free product for the build) is what gets used...
I guess when Holley folds, it would be due to them being "stagnant" as well...
It goes further than just your blanket statement...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
I have used and sold Crane products for years.. up to and including having them custome grind me a hydraulic roller for a marine BBC my shop built (cam was made 2 weeks ago for me - three day turnaround).
Another set of Crane users are the Harley-Davidson crowd (naahhh, not many of those guys around)
Magazine builds? Those are nothing more than paid advertisements, whomever "steps up" (and provide free product for the build) is what gets used...
I guess when Holley folds, it would be due to them being "stagnant" as well...
It goes further than just your blanket statement...
Another set of Crane users are the Harley-Davidson crowd (naahhh, not many of those guys around)
Magazine builds? Those are nothing more than paid advertisements, whomever "steps up" (and provide free product for the build) is what gets used...
I guess when Holley folds, it would be due to them being "stagnant" as well...
It goes further than just your blanket statement...
I agree with you. Crane for years has stood for quality and customer service. I have used Crane cams, lifters and rockers for decades and know of many other well respected racers and engine builders that swear by their products. It's very unfortunate that Crane which has served the performance industry for half a century is closing it's doors. It is a loss that will affect many racers. And what you said is true about Magazine builds. Half the information provided by these Magazines is garbage with the magazine pushing certain products because of advertising relationships. There are many manufacturers that provide top of the line parts that aren't mentioned in the popular magazines. I guess that makes them "stagnant" too. We should feel saddened when a quality company like Crane closes it's doors, or are some of us too smug and comfortable to share the pain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
I think this is sad. I mainly use Comp or Crane cams, and have used both of their products in engines I build. Sometimes one would suit the needs of what you are trying to accomplish better than the other. It was nice having their options for cam selection, and other parts. We end up with less options for engine building, and I don't see that good for anybody.
Last edited by tpi 421 vette; Feb 26, 2009 at 06:07 PM.