[Ben T.]

Ok guys, can anyone shed some light on Crank Ringing for me ? Like ,how reliable is this method of checking to see if you have a crack ? I'm in need of a crank for a 428 and I found one out west but I ask the guy if they Magged them and he said they ring check them . It's to much time and money to do this if this method is not good !

[chrisinestes]

I had a couple BBC cranks that rang beautifully, but magnafluxing proved them both cracked.

Chris

[PunchT37]

Yeah, he "ring checked" the crank cause he wants you to ring the register.

The only thing all that crank ringing does is have your ears ringing after it`s done.

Sorry, had to do it....

[geeteeohguy]

Ring checking a crank dates back over 100 years. Popular in the Model T era. Not reliable then, not reliable now. I would RUN as fast as I could from a crank that the owner said passed a 'ring' test!!

[b-man]

If it rings, then it is worth checking for cracks.

If it goes 'thud' don't bother.

[Bill Hanlon]

I remember reading an article in Hot Rod Magazine back in the early 60's where Don Gartlis said that the cranks he used in his hemi dragster were found at the junk yard are were tested by ringing. Technology has progressed a bit since then.

[RamAirIV28]

I think they were doing dye penetrant inspection back then

[Schurkey]

Unless you're experienced, the "ring" versus "thud" might be the difference between a forged steel crank and a cast-iron crank. Either or both could be cracked. The two materials just sound different when "ring tested".

[steve25]

A fordged or cast crank can have the little start of a facture at a stress point that could spread very fast once loaded to a certain point!
If the facture is at the internal meeting point of two drilled oil passges that crack will never be found until the crank eitheir out right fails, or the crack gets to the surface and is THEN found with a Mag check.
The Liberty bell is cracked, yet it still rings!

[gtofreek]

Also, thought I should mention that a crank gear on the snout, or a bolt in the crank flange or snout, will make a good crank, thud, like it's cracked. Needs to be a bare crank. I agree, if it passes a ring test, then have it magged to be sure. Ring test is NOT 100% accurate.

[Blued and Painted]

The ring test works on Drum brake springs. Dont think i would trust it on a high dollar engine build.

[TinInjun]

Little history lesson. This is why the ring test started, only you leave a few steps out which renders the test useless by just hitting the part.

"The practice in railway workshops to examine iron and steel components by the "oil and whiting" method. In this method, a heavy oil commonly available in railway workshops was diluted with kerosene in large tanks so that locomotive parts such as wheels could be submerged. After removal and careful cleaning, the surface was then coated with a fine suspension of chalk in alcohol so that a white surface layer was formed once the alcohol had evaporated. The object was then vibrated by being struck with a hammer, causing the residual oil in any surface cracks to seep out and stain the white coating."

[Half-Inch Stud]

Ring test works for Coil springs: ring vs crash indicates young&restless vs clapped-out. right?

[Ben T.]

Thanks for the input guys !

[GRX]

Wet magged or no dice.