Crank: forged or cast, how can I tell?

[Frank]

I got a 318 2 Bbl engine and a 999 Loadflight out of an '86 B150 van. How can I tell if the crank shaft is forged or cast?

I read recently in a MoPar publication that some truck engines were produced with forged cranks. I suppose a full size van IS a truck.

Does anyone know where I can get more info on this, or if there were any ID numbers or marks on the engine denoting a steel or cast crank?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys.

[6 packin]

The damper will be odd shaped (bigger). Also it may even say cast on the damper somewere! I know the big blocks did. Also if apart you can look for casting marks on cast cranks. If not or cannot find any markings peck on the snout of the crank with a wrench, the sound will differ from a cast and forged crank. The forged crank will have a Twang and ringing to it. The cast will sound knida dead and hollow!

Hope I could help a little

[Ron Henry]

Did Mopar still use forged cranks in the 80's?

Here's hoping that '86 had it cause my '87 might too!

[dave571]

318's had the same balancer, cast or forged. They were both neutral ballanced.

The only sure way to tell, is to pull off the pan and look.

Along the rough part of the crank throws, there is a line that runs length wise down the lcrankshaft . If it is a thin line,(about as thick as a dime) it is a cast crankshaft.

If it is about 1/2" wide, and looks like the edge has been cut off with a grinder, or hack saw, then it's forged.

Hope this helps.

[rb77413]

any body got any pics of the differences? I checked the 383 Magnum that came out of my 70 Newport and then looked at the 2.0L I have in the shed. They look different. I then checked the 383 and 2.0L against a "possible T2" 2.2L well the 383 and the T2 look the same. Since the T2 had forged cranks, I am assuming that the 383 is forged and the 2.0L is cast. Not very scientific but.....:dunno:

[John Kunkel]

Here's the difference in forged and cast cranks:

[bbeckwith]

Thanks John,

A picture really is worth a thousand words. I have always wondered how to tell myself. Learn something everyday.

Bruce

[rb77413]

Thanks!!

[Frank]

Thanks, guys. I knew you'd have the answer.