Cast Nodular Crank
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Clinton Indiana
Cast Nodular Crank
Finally had the time yesterday to tear down the 454 that I aquired for my '73. The casting # on the crank, N353039, identifies it as a nodular iron crank used in 70-88 454's. What are, if any the adavantages/disadvantages to this crank versus forged or regular cast?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Clinton Indiana
Thank You. I suspect it will work fine for me. Planning on something in the neighborhood of a 400 HP motor. The car will be a weekend cruiser, with an occasional 3-4 hour road trip. No plans to race it. Everything seems to point to the motor being a 1973 LS-4 from an Impala.
3999289 block casting
E 7 73 build date
CWL suffix stamped on the pad
PASS/HIPERF with 11 directly below cast in the front of the block.
Somewhat of a coincidence, as the motor is going in a '73 vette that was built in June of that year.
3999289 block casting
E 7 73 build date
CWL suffix stamped on the pad
PASS/HIPERF with 11 directly below cast in the front of the block.
Somewhat of a coincidence, as the motor is going in a '73 vette that was built in June of that year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Castings add dampning.
I know forgings are stronger and used for max efforts. But castings do have more inherent damping than forgings but i'm not sure what advantage it will have for u. I'm guessing it would tolerate a lesser balanced assembly and vlv timing would suffer less vibration/variation. As i've read there is a lot of crank twist from the power pulses during acceleration/rapid power or even constant operation that changes crank shape regardless of balance. Nothing wrong with nodular iron castings in a mild street application. Save ur $$$ for other goodies. 
cardo0
cardo0
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Cast cranks don't flex as much as a forged crank (at least until they break, then they are a lot more flexible 
)
As far as cast cranks go, nodulars are the cream of the crop. I have an "N" crank in my 455 Olds that I beat on regularly.
)As far as cast cranks go, nodulars are the cream of the crop. I have an "N" crank in my 455 Olds that I beat on regularly.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by JLMvette73
Thank You. I suspect it will work fine for me. Planning on something in the neighborhood of a 400 HP motor. The car will be a weekend cruiser, with an occasional 3-4 hour road trip. No plans to race it. Everything seems to point to the motor being a 1973 LS-4 from an Impala.
3999289 block casting
E 7 73 build date
CWL suffix stamped on the pad
PASS/HIPERF with 11 directly below cast in the front of the block.
Somewhat of a coincidence, as the motor is going in a '73 vette that was built in June of that year.
3999289 block casting
E 7 73 build date
CWL suffix stamped on the pad
PASS/HIPERF with 11 directly below cast in the front of the block.
Somewhat of a coincidence, as the motor is going in a '73 vette that was built in June of that year.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Originally Posted by 71coupe
Cast cranks don't flex as much as a forged crank (at least until they break, then they are a lot more flexible )
As far as cast cranks go, nodulars are the cream of the crop. I have an "N" crank in my 455 Olds that I beat on regularly.
)As far as cast cranks go, nodulars are the cream of the crop. I have an "N" crank in my 455 Olds that I beat on regularly.
Same here .... In process of rebuilding my Olds 455 with a nodular crank. Love those big blocks. Was running before the rebuild 12.0 sec 1/4 miles at 115 mph with stock heads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 865
Likes: 4
From: troy, mi
Cool biz on the Olds'! The nodulars can take a beating. I have many Olds buddies, noone has ever busted a crank. I've got a '23 t-bucket with a 462 Olds, 10.20'@128 NA. Track won't let me spray my 125 shot..
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Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,262
Originally Posted by 71coupe
Cast cranks don't flex as much as a forged crank (at least until they break, then they are a lot more flexible )
As far as cast cranks go, nodulars are the cream of the crop. I have an "N" crank in my 455 Olds that I beat on regularly.
)As far as cast cranks go, nodulars are the cream of the crop. I have an "N" crank in my 455 Olds that I beat on regularly.
Forged steels usually have a higher fatigue limit, so they can be stressed higher/longer before they break from fatigue.
For most street engines nodular cast iron crankshafts are just fine.
Duke
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Originally Posted by SWCDuke
No, cast iron's modulus is about ten percent lower than steel, so for a given load they will "flex" a bit more. Perhaps you mean "ductility".
Duke
Duke
