Bent Honda Crank

[stretch5881]

So today I fixed a chainsaw for the elderly neighbor for free, because she's going through a rough time. Since I would not charge her, she gave me her 2 year old Honda lawn mower. She had hit a chunk of concrete mowing the ditch and bent the crank. So she bought another new mower. I figured no problem. I've straightened many cranks before. Holy crap!!! Honda cranks are tough. A new crank for that mower is around 150.00. Being that I am stubborn, bored or stupid, I am going to attempt one last effort to straighten it. Dead men used to straighten shafts by peening. I may actually have to go to the library to find an old ......what do you call it.....book, that explains the process.
If anyone here knows anything about the art of peening, it would be great to hear from you.

 

[USMC615]

Interested to see how this turns out...

 

[stretch5881]

Me too.

 

[stretch5881]

I made a fixture to hold the engine and the dial indicator. If I can remember how to read it, looks to me to be .067" out of whack. Enough to put your hands to sleep in 15 seconds. That was the easy part.

 

[Steve]

I made a fixture to hold the engine and the dial indicator. If I can remember how to read it, looks to me to be .067" out of whack. Enough to put your hands to sleep in 15 seconds. That was the easy part.View attachment 297630 View attachment 297631

That appears to be .133" out. Over an 1/8"! That appears to be a Honda GCV engine?

 

[Egg Shooter]

 

[Egg Shooter]

 

[stretch5881]

That appears to be .133" out. Over an 1/8"! That appears to be a Honda GCV engine?

Yes and yes.

 

[stretch5881]

I've used these methods in the past. This Honda crank will not budge using these methods. Not even with a sledge hammer.

 

[Egg Shooter]

I've used these methods in the past. This Honda crank will not budge using these methods. Not even with a sledge hammer.

Holy smokes! Honda tough.

 

[Steve]

Yes and yes.

If it's a gcv160 there are two cranks on eBay right now for $30 bucks.

 

[Sagebrush33]

If it's a gcv160 there are two cranks on eBay right now for $30 bucks.

But I wanna here about the art of peening.
The forgotten craftsmen.

 

[stretch5881]

If it's a gcv160 there are two cranks on eBay right now for $30 bucks.

They had 4 different cranks for that application. I've seen the ones on ebay. As my luck would have it, they're the wrong dimensions.

 

[Sagebrush33]

They had 4 different cranks for that application. I've seen the ones on ebay. As my luck would have it, they're the wrong dimensions.

Peen, peen, peen away ......

Sorry.

 

[stretch5881]

Even if I find a crank, I'm taking on this challenge.

 

[stretch5881]

So far, the crank is winning. I got it to move .020" after peening at the fillet with a radius ground chisel. I've tried other chisel shapes also, with no progress. Turn the crank 180 and 1 tap, it will move .005" the wrong way. Take a break and back to studying when I have time.
Relieving the stress in body panels by peening was much easier.

 

[stretch5881]

I'd like to know who put this book of alien language in my house. I didn't even finish high school.

 

[Sagebrush33]

I'd like to know who put this book of alien language in my house. I didn't even finish high school.View attachment 298211

Me either. I was to eager to join the work force. I still have no regrets 35yrs later.