This is topic CAT crankshafts,need some input. in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by 50DADDY (Member # 3076) on :
 
Anyone run one of these or currently running one?Ive read alot of bad about them but the articles are mostly from 5-8 years ago.Most companies tend to get better with time.Ive got a line on what seems to be a killer deal but i dont wanna end up with wasted money on junk i cant use.Ive done too much of that lately.And if your gonna tell me theyre trash at least give me some of the reasons why.

[ May 25, 2012, 09:32 PM: Message edited by: 50DADDY ]
 

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Posted by Jaejae5.0 (Member # 7958) on :
 
I don't have a answer to your question..but a stock rotating assembly will outlast your stock block..
 

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Posted by 707iiii (Member # 10923) on :
 
The biggest issue with the chinese stuff is usually the finish machining. If they are all done in china (forged & machined) they can be pretty bad. Scat uses Chinese forgings but does all the machine work so they end up really nice.
I'm running an off shore forged crank in my 347 with no issues yet. It's not a cat but I do have a 3.25 stroke cat sitting on the shelf. I haven't had it checked out so I can't comment about the quality of the machining, it looks nice though. See if you can have it checked out by a competent machine shop before you buy.
 

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Posted by racsirx (Member # 1710) on :
 
I won't use a CAT crankshaft but I would use a SCAT crankshaft
 

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Posted by Gatlin6T9 (Member # 5646) on :
 
The balance can be horrible also. In some cases, balancing them will cost just as much as a good quality crank.
 

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Posted by 50DADDY (Member # 3076) on :
 
Well i picked it up.Its been "cleaned up" and its been balanced.Its 4340 forged steel with 3.250 stroke.Snagged it for 150$
 

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Posted by warhorse58gt (Member # 7702) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 50DADDY:
Well i picked it up.Its been "cleaned up" and its been balanced.Its 4340 forged steel with 3.250 stroke.Snagged it for 150$

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i don't buy any thing that isn't made in the usa. you get what you pay for! cat brand is junk. broke a cat rod in half.
 

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Posted by 50DADDY (Member # 3076) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by warhorse58gt:

quote:

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Originally posted by 50DADDY:
Well i picked it up.Its been "cleaned up" and its been balanced.Its 4340 forged steel with 3.250 stroke.Snagged it for 150$

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i don't buy any thing that isn't made in the usa. you get what you pay for! cat brand is junk. broke a cat rod in half.

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I seriously doubt ill break a 4340 steel crank.No matter where its made.Did the rod break because of the cheap bolts they use or was it a structural failure?
 

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Posted by Duncan Motors (Member # 7045) on :
 
is anyknock off brand as good as the origanal
 

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Posted by 50DADDY (Member # 3076) on :
 
And for the record,Scat and Eagle cranks are made in China and finish machined over here.As are most engine parts nowadays.The quality of Chinese parts has improved vastly over when they first hit the market in the late 90's/early 2k's.Im not saying its as good as real American made items but its not as bad as some people think.

[ May 28, 2012, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: 50DADDY ]
 

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Posted by Duncan Motors (Member # 7045) on :
 
hey hey lol, u asked and thats our opinions lol. truly wish u the best of luck, lee had a crankshaft new in the box. everything like the one u got, i pondered on it for months.i even have one of there harmonic balancers on my shelf, dont look like crap at all , nice machining and all
 

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Posted by 50DADDY (Member # 3076) on :
 
Its cool,im not gettin excited,lol.I always appreciate any of my Cafords fam's advice and help.
Some of the chinese cranks can come over here in pretty crappy shape ive heard,excess runout and occasional undersize journals is what ive found from doin some research.But once a machine shop over here cleans em up theyre good.I guess im not sayin theyre workmanship is good,just that the materials and techniques they use in their foundries now are better.Im on a slim budget here and im trying to justify my cheapness.Lol.

[ May 29, 2012, 03:06 AM: Message edited by: 50DADDY ]
 

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Posted by 375stroker (Member # 7485) on :
 
I use a cat steel crank in a 306 years ago .kuntz and comp build the motor. They check out the crank to see if it was in specs. everything was on the money. I ran that engine for about 5 years turning 7500 rpms. I did not have any problems with it
 

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