Pinning The Crank ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Pinning The Crank ?
I am waiting for my 08 C6 to arrive it will be here in two or three weeks, once broken in I will be putting a ECS kit in it along with full exhaust, ( stoked ). Anyway my question is part of the kit is to pin the crank, would someone please explain what this involves and what is the purpose. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
The LSx motors do not have a keyway on the crank. The crank pulley is just pressed on more or less. When lots of horsepower is applied the crank pulley has a tendancy to spin independent of the crank and it mauls up the crank snout something awful when it does.
You have to remove the rack and pinion to get at the crank pulley. They give you a jig for the drill which drills a hole in the seam between the pulley and crank snout and you tap a pin in there to make it harder for the pulley to spin off the crank.
You have to remove the rack and pinion to get at the crank pulley. They give you a jig for the drill which drills a hole in the seam between the pulley and crank snout and you tap a pin in there to make it harder for the pulley to spin off the crank.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
It's a little intimidating until you get into the install. The most difficult part for me was getting the ?!#@$%&@* crank bolt loose. That sucker was in there!! But, once you have room to work by removing and/or moving some components out of the way, it's a ten minute job. Taking a drill to the crankshaft of your brand new car will be the hardest part. 
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: deerfield beach florida
what happens when you drill the crank and say down the road you decide to put the motor back to stock, if you damage the motor (in its stock form) and take it to the dealership for warranty work could they void your warranty if they see that you crank has been drilled even tho the car is completely stock at its present time
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Blacklick Ohio
what happens when you drill the crank and say down the road you decide to put the motor back to stock, if you damage the motor (in its stock form) and take it to the dealership for warranty work could they void your warranty if they see that you crank has been drilled even tho the car is completely stock at its present time
And a keyed crank shaft isn't going to cause any damage to your car, if anything it's going to prevent damage. Just like you sending your rockers to Harland Sharp to get worked over. It only makes them better.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: deerfield beach florida
A dealer can't just void your warranty. If you take your car in for warranty work, they have to prove what you did to the car caused the problem in question.
And a keyed crank shaft isn't going to cause any damage to your car, if anything it's going to prevent damage. Just like you sending your rockers to Harland Sharp to get worked over. It only makes them better.
And a keyed crank shaft isn't going to cause any damage to your car, if anything it's going to prevent damage. Just like you sending your rockers to Harland Sharp to get worked over. It only makes them better.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 668
Likes: 35
From: Lantana, TX
i had the crank welded where it was pinned i just didnt want the factory to kick back the crank and deny the warranty claim and the tech get in trouble, he was helping me out, he knew there was a super charger on there previously and pushed it thru under warranty any ways
I've already borrowed a pinning kit, and will be pinning it this weekend, but curious to know still.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
The LSx motors do not have a keyway on the crank. The crank pulley is just pressed on more or less. When lots of horsepower is applied the crank pulley has a tendancy to spin independent of the crank and it mauls up the crank snout something awful when it does.
You have to remove the rack and pinion to get at the crank pulley. They give you a jig for the drill which drills a hole in the seam between the pulley and crank snout and you tap a pin in there to make it harder for the pulley to spin off the crank.
You have to remove the rack and pinion to get at the crank pulley. They give you a jig for the drill which drills a hole in the seam between the pulley and crank snout and you tap a pin in there to make it harder for the pulley to spin off the crank.
Well said Bill.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
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From: Montrose Colorado
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,598
Likes: 0
From: indianapolis indiana
that is the one...lol. i did it b4 on stick cars with out it but man it alot easier with the right stuff lol. i got complete kent moore tool kit for 200.00 off ebay...look around cause they expensive tools if you buy one at a time. i think the flywheel tool is 150.00 or more
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 668
Likes: 35
From: Lantana, TX
I've looked for a while, and couldn't find it so I thought it's time to ask...
I'm about to raise my front up in the garage and pin my crank. I've got a long rod of 1/4" rolled iron that I'll cut and grind to length.
1) How long does the pin need to be exactly??
2) Does anyone know of a good walkthrough, or set of instructions on what to unbolt/move/tie up etc. On my 98 A4 I've got the steering thing, and a lot of metal tubing criss crossing back and forth in front of the crank bolt. I guess I can figure out how to lift it all up and get at the bolt. But I'd love to see a dummy proof walkthrough first.
Thanks
I'm about to raise my front up in the garage and pin my crank. I've got a long rod of 1/4" rolled iron that I'll cut and grind to length.
1) How long does the pin need to be exactly??
2) Does anyone know of a good walkthrough, or set of instructions on what to unbolt/move/tie up etc. On my 98 A4 I've got the steering thing, and a lot of metal tubing criss crossing back and forth in front of the crank bolt. I guess I can figure out how to lift it all up and get at the bolt. But I'd love to see a dummy proof walkthrough first.
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 636
Likes: 2
From: Lumberton TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
I've looked for a while, and couldn't find it so I thought it's time to ask...
I'm about to raise my front up in the garage and pin my crank. I've got a long rod of 1/4" rolled iron that I'll cut and grind to length.
1) How long does the pin need to be exactly??
2) Does anyone know of a good walkthrough, or set of instructions on what to unbolt/move/tie up etc. On my 98 A4 I've got the steering thing, and a lot of metal tubing criss crossing back and forth in front of the crank bolt. I guess I can figure out how to lift it all up and get at the bolt. But I'd love to see a dummy proof walkthrough first.
Thanks
I'm about to raise my front up in the garage and pin my crank. I've got a long rod of 1/4" rolled iron that I'll cut and grind to length.
1) How long does the pin need to be exactly??
2) Does anyone know of a good walkthrough, or set of instructions on what to unbolt/move/tie up etc. On my 98 A4 I've got the steering thing, and a lot of metal tubing criss crossing back and forth in front of the crank bolt. I guess I can figure out how to lift it all up and get at the bolt. But I'd love to see a dummy proof walkthrough first.
Thanks
