Crankshaft Changes

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J1MGOLDEN
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Crankshaft Changes

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Thu Jun 08, 2023 9:31 am

My information about when the crankshaft was changed to an AA with chromium being added and changed to an EE with vanadium being added.

Were there any earlier changes added?

Evidently, it was not in Bruce McCalley's Big Black Book.

Does anyone have an answer?


Joe Bell
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Re: Crankshaft Changes

Post by Joe Bell » Thu Jun 08, 2023 11:29 am

I have noticed them in Canada 24's but USA was in 25, I have kept a close eye on them for years.


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Re: Crankshaft Changes

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Thu Jun 08, 2023 2:55 pm

Joe, there were two changes that I am aware of, the first added chromium to a heavier crankshaft and I think that happened in later 1918 when the starter was added.

Neither change got a letter added to the part number in the price lists of parts and was not considered serious enough to advertised.

The EE crankshaft was probably added in 1926, as it has often been referred to as the 1926 crankshaft and that one had vanadium steel added to it for extra strength. Some of those had EE stamped in the front end of the crankshaft.

Some of the AA and EE crankshafts had those two letters raised in the crankshaft near the third of forth connecting rod.

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DanTreace
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Re: Crankshaft Changes

Post by DanTreace » Thu Jun 08, 2023 6:21 pm

According to Bruce's research (C-D Encyl) the material was changed away for the famous Vanadium steels, to chrome steels, and then the high carbon steel.

CRANKSHAFT
The evolution of the crankshaft is still an open question but the common belief is that from 1909 until about 1924 the crankshafts were made of Vanadium steel. These seemed to have the diamond-shaped throws between the connecting rod bearings.
About 1924 the material was changed to a heat- treated type and the throws became more rectangular in shape. These were imprinted with “AA” on one of the throws.
In 1927 the material was again changed and was identified by an “EE” on the throws. This final type is believed to the best of the cranks
.


types of cranks.jpeg

Chart was in an earlier forum post on cranks.

0842CFBE-607C-4775-9532-6617DB0C462C.jpeg
0842CFBE-607C-4775-9532-6617DB0C462C.jpeg (58.77 KiB) Viewed 477 times

Famous picture from early Ford adv. showing Vanadium shaft bend around and not breaking! Marketing at its best!

IMG_9813.JPG
IMG_9813.JPG (70.92 KiB) Viewed 477 times
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
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Topic author
J1MGOLDEN
Posts: 945
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:39 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Golden
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Roadster
Location: Bowie, MD
MTFCA Number: 14294
MTFCI Number: 13562

Re: Crankshaft Changes

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Thu Jun 08, 2023 7:51 pm

Thanks Dan!

I knew you would know!

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