Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: Russ Hampsten (email redacted)


I have two quick questions I wish to run by the list wisdom...

1) How important is cranshaft end play. I rebuilt my 289 awhile ago and
my crankshaft end play was about .018ish rather than .012 max. I
already had my assembly balanced, ground, etc. so I just bit the bullet
and installed it. In the "How to rebuild your Small Block Ford" book it
says to chuck the crank and get a new one. The motor runs ok, but the
end play is always in the back of my mind. What, if any, negative
effect is this going to have on the engine (It is a 4sp car now, before
it was a C4)? Anyone sell oversized thrust bearings?

2) Parts washers: I got one of those cheap 20 gallon Harbor freight
parts washers for Xmas and I need to get the solvent. I could just go
out and get Mineral spirits, but that stuff is rather toxic and not all
that friendly to the environment (and flammable to boot). Anyone ever
try the Citrus based ones and how well do they work (also WHERE do you
get it?). I am afraid that water based solvents will cause rust. So
what do you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Russ

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Rob (email redacted)

Russ Hampsten wrote:
>
> I have two quick questions I wish to run by the list wisdom...
>
> 1) How important is cranshaft end play. I rebuilt my 289 awhile ago and
> my crankshaft end play was about .018ish rather than .012 max. I
> already had my assembly balanced, ground, etc. so I just bit the bullet
> and installed it. In the "How to rebuild your Small Block Ford" book it
> says to chuck the crank and get a new one. The motor runs ok, but the
> end play is always in the back of my mind. What, if any, negative
> effect is this going to have on the engine (It is a 4sp car now, before
> it was a C4)? Anyone sell oversized thrust bearings?
>
> 2) Parts washers: I got one of those cheap 20 gallon Harbor freight
> parts washers for Xmas and I need to get the solvent. I could just go
> out and get Mineral spirits, but that stuff is rather toxic and not all
> that friendly to the environment (and flammable to boot). Anyone ever
> try the Citrus based ones and how well do they work (also WHERE do you
> get it?). I am afraid that water based solvents will cause rust. So
> what do you recommend?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Russ
Russ

I used to work for an outfit called Safety Kleen, you've probably heard
of them. Most garages carry their parts washers. Anyways, the solvent
they used was recycled Varsol. You might want to contact them for an
answer to your question. They are all over the place (World Wide) so you
shouldn't have any trouble finding them. Just drop by most any garage
for a phone No. for them.

Cheers, Rob

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Bill Lewis (email redacted)

> I used to work for an outfit called Safety Kleen, you've probably heard
> of them. Most garages carry their parts washers. Anyways, the solvent
> they used was recycled Varsol. You might want to contact them for an
> answer to your question. They are all over the place (World Wide) so you
> shouldn't have any trouble finding them. Just drop by most any garage
> for a phone No. for them.
>
> Cheers, Rob

I have a parts washer in the garage. My solvent came from Safety
Kleen. They are set up to exchange the solvent at shops every two
weeks or so. I exchange mine once every two years. Obviously it's
not their normal routine, so you pay the "one time" account setup fee
each time. It costs about $100. It sounds expensive, but getting
that new solvent makes you feel great!

Find yourself a nice set of long rubber gloves. Many of the gloves
are of made of materials that decompose rapidly in solvents, so you might
go through a few. After finding the right ones, I've been using them
for ten years.

/Bill