Crank Thrust Washers - Oversize

[roadrunner]

Would anyone know where I can buy thrust washers that are 15 or 20th oversize? Usual suppliers (Paddock, Rimmers) have only +5th. I fitted these a few years ago leaving the widest allowable tolerance. Checking again, the end float is out of spec now.

If these can't be bought, do I have any options...getting some made, grinding down 2 x stds, engine out/change the crank :-(

Some direction on this appreciated - thanks

Geoff

[milothedog]

Would anyone know where I can buy thrust washers that are 15 or 20th oversize? Usual suppliers (Paddock, Rimmers) have only +5th. I fitted these a few years ago leaving the widest allowable tolerance. Checking again, the end float is out of spec now.

If these can't be bought, do I have any options...getting some made, grinding down 2 x stds, engine out/change the crank :-(

Some direction on this appreciated - thanks

Geoff

Hi Geoff,

I had one made up Via Paddocks a couple of years back when I did a bottom end rebuild for a mate although it was one of their Cranks, IIRC I think it was + .015" to bring the end float in to tolerance.

It may be worth having a chat with them

Ian

[roadrunner]

Thanks Ian, I'll ask if they can have made up (rang just to ask about stock and only +5th)

In fact I may need 2 x +10 or ideally 1 x10, 1 x15 as I'd not calculated properly

G

[jleyton]

I thought excessive end float was very unusual on the TV8. The six cylinder engines were a different story though

Cheers

Julian

[roadrunner]

I do seem to have this excessive float and have tried various suppliers (inc Paddocks again who can't get above +5th, the supplier has huge stocks of this size and won't make any more), plus searching the net. The only solution looks like having some made - a couple of sources in the US perhaps. Unless as a last resort I can ask again any engineers / engine builders out there - is there some means to modify 2-3 std thrust washers? Is there a UK fabricator who could make up? Would anyone have 10 and/or 15th that I could buy?
I believe this part applies also to TR7 and 1850/Sprint cranks, so it must have arisen before!

Yours in desperation

G

[jleyton]

If you find no other option, I just wonder whether you could very carefully drill a couple of holes in two thrusts and pin them together with copper pins ?

IIRC the six cylinder would drop their worn thrusts, but I wouldn't have thought they'd drop on a TV8.

Just an idea but do take some more professional advice than mine
Good luck.

Ps Do you think the excessive clearance is because of the crank or the webs in the crankcase ?

[dasadrew]

I might be outing myself here as a complete nincompoop, but is there any reason why you can't just bond a thin sheet of metal (10 thou etc.) onto the backside of the washer and trim it to the same shape including the retaining tongue?

After all, it doesn't move or go anywhere and there is only the one surface which actually rubs against anything.

Julian, I think that pinning two together would add about another 3mm to the thickness rather than the desired 10 thou.

[milothedog]

If you find no other option, I just wonder whether you could very carefully drill a couple of holes in two thrusts and pin them together with copper pins ?

IIRC the six cylinder would drop their worn thrusts, but I wouldn't have thought they'd drop on a TV8.

Just an idea but do take some more professional advice than mine
Good luck.

Ps Do you think the excessive clearance is because of the crank or the webs in the crankcase ?

Julian, the one I fitted for Dean from them had been refaced on the Web's making it over sized but it came with standard thrust bearings when fitted it still had a fair bit of movement so we had a moan at them and they arranged for some oversized ones to be made up which put it on the lower end of the tolerance scale. You probably know but a manual car will always wear the thrust bearings more than an auto and it's likely the crank we were sent came from a manual and was cleaned up at the machine shop accordingly. Ironic as I fitted it to an auto.

Ian.

Drew, I had considered your idea about shimming as I have a pack of peel off shim material but was not happy that they would stay in place so we pushed for the oversized bearings which Paddocks agreed to get for us. For the record they were very good at resolving the issue for us

Ian.

[edd]

Some of the bearing we used to deal with had to be built up with white metal.They had lots of moulds. I forget the make up of thrust washers but i cant see why the washer could,nt be added too. Easy to make a mould , Jeff could do it with his new skills lol
Edd

[roadrunner]

I appreciate the thoughts/postings as I'm getting a clearer picture of the technical problem here. No way Paddocks can or want to offer oversize parts at present, so I'm interested in how I might have an engineering co. build up/machine to spec some std thrusts, or look into this 'shim material.'
I'm pretty sure there are suppliers in the States for one-off items, but the cost & shipping will be high.
Any more comments would be welcome on the machining or shimming route - thanks

Geoff

[milothedog]

If your stuck Geoff this may give you an idea of what your looking for http://www.lamecogroup.com/en/index.html#Overview

Ian.

[keeny]

You could try gosnay's engineering in Ilford 01708 740668 they are an old school firm and many be able to help,it's worth a call,good luck
Phil