*caution* lunati cranks are bad
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,456
From: sarasota, fl
just a thought...........before starting a 100 page thread with no answers...........why doesnt someone else call lunati and find out (even ask for allison). im sure it would take no more than 5 minutes.
id do it, but i dont have the technical knowledge of you guys to be able to ask the right questions.
id do it, but i dont have the technical knowledge of you guys to be able to ask the right questions.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,991
From: pa
Originally posted by Steve in Seattle
<smirk> You've corrected him on spelling a "Lunati", then use grammer like this.
(not trying to be mean... just pointing out that proof-reading a message board post is low on most people's priorities... even when they think it isn't).
On a more serious note, I wonder why a heat-treating process used for all crank journals would only fail in the same spot (1st and 2nd counterweights)... and not randomly.
The confusion grows more with the info Dennis posted that Lunati doesn't even heat-treat their cranks at all...
Are you sure the block mains are all in alignment? weird that both would fail in the same spot unless it was block machining or assembly error. If Lunati admits the hardening process was messed up I suppose its fair to say, although I havn't talked to them... it just sounded weird (and I think you need to read Injeneer's post again... I don't think he was trying to be rude, he asked the same questions that were going through my head
)
<smirk> You've corrected him on spelling a "Lunati", then use grammer like this.
(not trying to be mean... just pointing out that proof-reading a message board post is low on most people's priorities... even when they think it isn't).On a more serious note, I wonder why a heat-treating process used for all crank journals would only fail in the same spot (1st and 2nd counterweights)... and not randomly.
The confusion grows more with the info Dennis posted that Lunati doesn't even heat-treat their cranks at all...
Are you sure the block mains are all in alignment? weird that both would fail in the same spot unless it was block machining or assembly error. If Lunati admits the hardening process was messed up I suppose its fair to say, although I havn't talked to them... it just sounded weird (and I think you need to read Injeneer's post again... I don't think he was trying to be rude, he asked the same questions that were going through my head
)
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 203
From: York, PA
Rich,
This process is for case alignment only. Primary reason is wear resistance with higher cylinder loads. Normally the problem you are seeing with the 1/2 journal failure is caused by improper main bearing oil clearances.
Dennis
This process is for case alignment only. Primary reason is wear resistance with higher cylinder loads. Normally the problem you are seeing with the 1/2 journal failure is caused by improper main bearing oil clearances.
Dennis
Moderator
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 10,745
From: Buffalo, New York
Originally posted by airflowdevelop
Rich,
This process is for case alignment only. Primary reason is wear resistance with higher cylinder loads. Normally the problem you are seeing with the 1/2 journal failure is caused by improper main bearing oil clearances.
Dennis
Rich,
This process is for case alignment only. Primary reason is wear resistance with higher cylinder loads. Normally the problem you are seeing with the 1/2 journal failure is caused by improper main bearing oil clearances.
Dennis
Rich
Administrator
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 71,094
From: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ
Originally posted by amean94ta
1.) Krs machining in erie, pa thats my shop but did not post because i am not a paid advertiser
2.) Yes "them" is lunati not lunatti
3.) It broke between the 1st and second counter weight on both cranks under normal driving.
4.) I dont know who allison is them gave her to me when i called.
(side note) I thought of all people you would not act like a jerk as you are one of the most respected guys on this board along with rkrouse. If you want more answers call them yourself i was just trying to be helpful
1.) Krs machining in erie, pa thats my shop but did not post because i am not a paid advertiser
2.) Yes "them" is lunati not lunatti
3.) It broke between the 1st and second counter weight on both cranks under normal driving.
4.) I dont know who allison is them gave her to me when i called.
(side note) I thought of all people you would not act like a jerk as you are one of the most respected guys on this board along with rkrouse. If you want more answers call them yourself i was just trying to be helpful
Maybe I'm supposed to know from your screen name what your background is, who "we" is, how credible the whole thing was, but my crystal ball is a little fuzzy. My sincere apologies.
If you feel I'm being a jerk, you're entitled to your opinion.
Have a nice day
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
I don't have anything to contribute here (and my crank is a Cola), but I'd really suggest a moderator at a minimum change the title of this thread (and the various cross posted ones) so its not so inflammatory against Lunati.
You can't unring a bell, and I don't see anything in this thread that justifies potentially trashing a mfr so severely without any data.
Dave
You can't unring a bell, and I don't see anything in this thread that justifies potentially trashing a mfr so severely without any data.
Dave
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 610
From: Akron, OH.
So if this guy. who works at KRS as a machinist, which is a decent shop, tells me that two $700 cranks broke in two weeks, then I knowing his back ground tend to believe they are JUNK. His people skills arent the best but these cranks have cost some people thousands of dollars. Thanks for the heads up.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 610
From: Akron, OH.
Actually he has a 427 thats .60 over, but whats a couple inches right? I should not devulge all his secrets but he does weigh less than 3000lbs. 
As for Lunati and Holley, they are a dissappointment. I take it they did not make any effort to contact the customers who recieved the cranks. That pisses me off, someone could be killed by a bad crank, let alone out of a ton of money in a engine and tranny, and they dont tell anyone? I can only guess at how long they have known, but I would bet its been long enough that they could have mailed their customers a letter with the problem. Lets talk about Holley some more. Norbs Dad with the 455 regal had a Holley carb stick and it sent him into the porch of a house on 12th st. It could and almost did kill him. The car was totaled, he had to buy it back. They were nice enough to send him a new carb.
My own experience with Holley wasnt that great. My beautiful 58mm TB set off engine codes when I installed it while I was away at school. Luckily the DIY shop on post rented out the scantool for $3 to me. What if I had to go somewhere to get it scanned, thats not cheap. I got on here and looked around and many people with their throttle bodies had the same problem. I called them up after three weeks of frustration and the tech said slot the holes in the tps and it will be good. Nice quality huh? He feed me a line about how GM's patents prevent them from making an exact replica. Gee I didnt know GM made a CNC 58mm TB. If those guys were at the track and the cranks broke and rear wheels locked or or oil and water ran all over the track and the guy or gal was killed what would they have done then? I think some class action lawsuits may make Holley/Lunati a more responsible manufacturer. Lets be honest here, alot of automotive aftermarket companies do us wrong. With long wait times, false HP gains, and poor engineering. And we sit here and take it. Jose has been trying to get his turbo setup right for 2 years, my buddy steve has gone 9 months so far. My own engine took two months than they said and was $600 over their estimate. I know its costs money to go fast, but it doesnt mean I want to be treated like crap.
As for Lunati and Holley, they are a dissappointment. I take it they did not make any effort to contact the customers who recieved the cranks. That pisses me off, someone could be killed by a bad crank, let alone out of a ton of money in a engine and tranny, and they dont tell anyone? I can only guess at how long they have known, but I would bet its been long enough that they could have mailed their customers a letter with the problem. Lets talk about Holley some more. Norbs Dad with the 455 regal had a Holley carb stick and it sent him into the porch of a house on 12th st. It could and almost did kill him. The car was totaled, he had to buy it back. They were nice enough to send him a new carb.
My own experience with Holley wasnt that great. My beautiful 58mm TB set off engine codes when I installed it while I was away at school. Luckily the DIY shop on post rented out the scantool for $3 to me. What if I had to go somewhere to get it scanned, thats not cheap. I got on here and looked around and many people with their throttle bodies had the same problem. I called them up after three weeks of frustration and the tech said slot the holes in the tps and it will be good. Nice quality huh? He feed me a line about how GM's patents prevent them from making an exact replica. Gee I didnt know GM made a CNC 58mm TB. If those guys were at the track and the cranks broke and rear wheels locked or or oil and water ran all over the track and the guy or gal was killed what would they have done then? I think some class action lawsuits may make Holley/Lunati a more responsible manufacturer. Lets be honest here, alot of automotive aftermarket companies do us wrong. With long wait times, false HP gains, and poor engineering. And we sit here and take it. Jose has been trying to get his turbo setup right for 2 years, my buddy steve has gone 9 months so far. My own engine took two months than they said and was $600 over their estimate. I know its costs money to go fast, but it doesnt mean I want to be treated like crap.
so hurry up and make it back ok
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 28
From: Ct
I've seen this thread for quite a while but this is the first time I've read it. I had a major impression that lunati was bad until I actually read it-now I'm undecided.
It could have been the crank or something else, and people have posted positive things about the engine builder and the crank manufacturer.
I really think (as someone else pointed out) that a moderator should change the title of this thread or close the thread. There's nothing conclusive here, just a constant smear campaign caused by having the name of the thread floating around.
It could have been the crank or something else, and people have posted positive things about the engine builder and the crank manufacturer.
I really think (as someone else pointed out) that a moderator should change the title of this thread or close the thread. There's nothing conclusive here, just a constant smear campaign caused by having the name of the thread floating around.
