Main Bearings or Other Problem?

[FJ40Jim]

All,

Thanks for the feedback. I ordered the nut and lock washer and they arrived today. The end of my crankshaft is undamaged, and everything fits perfectly. What a relief.

C.

The crank is damaged.
The balancer is a press fit on the crank. After the nut fell off, the balancer began to rattle to &fro on every power stroke which has worn away the press fit and hammered the key & keyway to death.

 

[Sig191144]

Jim,

I put the nut back on, but I could not figure out how the lock washer fit. So, I left it off. The oddest thing happens when I turn the crank with the truck in gear.....it does not attempt to roll. The nut is tight.

Can you be certain of what you describe and if so how can I fix it?

Thanks,
C.

 

[FJ40Jim]

No, nothing is for certain.

Background:
The balancer is a tight press fit on the crank snout. If the press fit has been lost, then the balancer was rattling to & fro as the crank slowed for TDC, then took off after the firing event (thousands of times per minute). It is a small (but persistent) amount of movement, and over time it chews away at the key & the key groove(s). It takes all 3 (press fit, key, torqued nut) to hold the balancer on securely.

Fix: good used crank/ balancer/ key/ nut.
Half-arsed fix: pull balancer, clean balancer & crank snout thoroughly, reassemble w/ loctite shaft-loc or equivalent.

 

[FJ40Jim]

Pictures here of an engine that drove into the shop with no obvious balancer issue, but plenty of oil coming out the front seal and timing cover.
How not to build the 2F

 

[Sig191144]

Jim, I took the "halfway" approach. We shall see how it holds up. I put the nut on with pry bars of sorts. I plan to order a 46mm and properly torque it soon. It runs well with the new electronic ignition I recently installed; I will just enjoy that for now. Thanks to all for your feedback and advice.
C.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Jim, I took the "halfway" approach. We shall see how it holds up. I put the nut on with pry bars of sorts. I plan to order a 46mm and properly torque it soon. It runs well with the new electronic ignition I recently installed; I will just enjoy that for now. Thanks to all for your feedback and advice.
C.

Enjoying it is key!!

But, don't start enjoying it until you can properly torque it... it may last longer that way.