1987 crank snout key issue

[jjonez]

Sorry, cross posting for more visibility:

 

Currently sitting on the side of the highway with my 87 waiting for a tow truck.  First the power steering cut out which prompted me to pull over.  After I pulled over I noticed the temp was getting really hot.  With the engine still running none of the accessory belts or pullies were spinning, I couldn't see if any were broken.  Does this sound like the about key issue?  Timing still seems ok but I haven't started the truck since pulling over.

 

What are options for fixing if this turns out to be the issue?  Upgrades available for a stronger snout key?  Also wondering on the feasibility of a VG33 upgrade instead of rebuilding this guy.  It's a bummer because this engine was otherwise in amazing shape and running beautifully, probably better than my newer cars.  Still has the cylinder crosshatching.

[peejay]

That sucks, and is the kinda "freak" occurrence that would make me wanna swap in the VG33 engine, but that comes with it's own cans of worms, too! (Go for it if you can easily get a replacement engine!)

 

And you've probably already seen this thread?

 

 

Edited May 14 by peejay

[Slartibartfast]

Yeah, that's not good. Could be the key, though I'd be surprised if it just freewheeled with that busted. I've also heard of VG30 cranks breaking between the timing sprocket and the balancer. Hopefully it's not that. Grab the pulleys and see if the whole deal just comes off.

 

I've heard of people welding and grinding a damaged keyway, or welding in the key, or using JB weld or Loctite and trusting the crank bolt's clamping force to do the rest. I don't remember if any of these methods worked, but I do remember seeing a few mentions of repeat failures. These may have been from people installing a new key in a wallered keyway without doing anything to stabilize it, though.

 

And yeah, if the crank turns out to be buggered, might as well get an upgrade out of the job. The 3.3 crank snout is bigger. This is a good thing, but also a problem--it's why you need to run the donor's belts/accessories, or get an adapter to run the V belts, because the 3.0 balancer won't fit over it.

[jjonez]

I may be a lucky sumbitch.  The garage where I had it towed called later and said the bolt holding the harmonic balancer had backed off due to an incorrect washer being used previously.  They are replacing the woodruff key and hardware and I'm having them do the timing belt water pump and front seals as well.  Good opportunity to inspect the timing gear key.  I lucked out that the garage is independent and has a 13 year Nissan master tech on staff who geeks out over our old trucks haha.

 

 

5 hours ago, peejay said:

That sucks, and is the kinda "freak" occurrence that would make me wanna swap in the VG33 engine, but that comes with it's own cans of worms, too! (Go for it if you can easily get a replacement engine!)

 

And you've probably already seen this thread?

 

 

Thanks, I sent this to the mechanic.  I'm sure they'll be tired of me bugging them by the time it's all over haha.

 

 

4 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Yeah, that's not good. Could be the key, though I'd be surprised if it just freewheeled with that busted. I've also heard of VG30 cranks breaking between the timing sprocket and the balancer. Hopefully it's not that. Grab the pulleys and see if the whole deal just comes off.

 

I've heard of people welding and grinding a damaged keyway, or welding in the key, or using JB weld or Loctite and trusting the crank bolt's clamping force to do the rest. I don't remember if any of these methods worked, but I do remember seeing a few mentions of repeat failures. These may have been from people installing a new key in a wallered keyway without doing anything to stabilize it, though.

 

And yeah, if the crank turns out to be buggered, might as well get an upgrade out of the job. The 3.3 crank snout is bigger. This is a good thing, but also a problem--it's why you need to run the donor's belts/accessories, or get an adapter to run the V belts, because the 3.0 balancer won't fit over it.

I'm not capable of the engine swap myself and having a shop do it would probably break my bank account, luckily it sounds like I won't have to make that tough decision yet!  

[peejay]

I love it when a plan comes together! Glad it was something simple, and that you have the wherewithal to get the timing belt done now!

[RedPath88]

Hopefully they don't find any of this...

 

 

 

[Slartibartfast]

Sounds like it's in good hands! Hopefully it's an easy fix.

 

And yeah, not like Redpath's crank! That's what I was afraid you were gonna find.