Crankshaft dowell pins for a 38

[Tom Beaver]

Does anyone know of a source for the crankshaft dowell pins used on the flathead V8.  The ones on my spare crankshaft are beyond repair and the machine shops and hardware suppliers around here haven't a clue.

Tom Beaver

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Not much of a machine shop if they cannot make a simple replacement pin.

I have made pins for other jobs out of drill steel (worn out and broken drills)   The pins mostly act as a guide.   Tight in one hole, Crank, and a slip fit in the Flywheel.

Bruce.

[Steve Passmore]

Bruce is right Tom. You can usually find a drill bit that will be an interference fit in the crank, cut off the shank to size and use that to tap in.  I have been lucky a few time with that but also as Bruce said "Not much of a machine shop"

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

These dowel pins have the threads on them so you can pull them out in the confined space of the bell housing.   

[Tom Beaver]

I have standard .500" dowell pins that will fit but as Brad points out the stock pins have a 3/8" fine thread on one end for extraction purposes.  I did a bunch of searching but couldn't find any like it.  However, I did find shoulder screws that have an half inch shank with 3/8" threads on the end.  In fact I bought a couple from my local supplier.  I thought I could just cut the head off and I would have the dowell pin but it turns out the shoulder diameter on these particular screws is 0.003" to small and they rattle around in the crank flange.  Someone may make shoulder screws with a true 0.500" shoulder diameter but they are not available locally.

Tom Beaver

[phildeville@cox.net]

Machine shop suppliers - Pic, Carr - Lane, or McMaster Carr probably have something that will work.  You can view their catalogs online. You'll probably have to buy a minimum quantity, much greater that your needs...but...sell the excess here and break even!

Phil

[Tom Beaver]

Phil, none of the places you mentioned and others make essentially replicas of the Cadillac crankshaft dowel pins.   I have found one place that most probably makes shoulder screws that will have the right shoulder diameter (Accurate Manufactured Products Group in Indianapolis, IN).  All that would be required is to cut the head off, however, I was warned to expect sticker shock if I went that way.  Instead I have purchased a pair of extra-long 1/2" 303 stainless dowel pins and will turn the end down and thread it to match the original.  The pins were only $2.50 apiece so it's certainly worth try.

Tom Beaver

[markl]

Tom,
Don't know if you've already produced the SS replica dowel pins or not.  If not, I was fiddling around w/ a rusty old Crank from a 346 (38?), and the pins are actually pulling!  So if you still need them, I'll probably get them out today.  I'm letting the smooth shank end of the pins soak up a little more penetrating oil right now (crank standing w/ the nose up), but will probably get back to it in the afternoon.  I could send them off by priority mail today if you could still use them.

Mark Lowery, CLC #25216

[Tom Beaver]

Hello Mark,

Thank you very much for the kind offer.  I haven't  tried turning out the dowel pins yet because the lathe is tied up trying to make new distributor shafts.  And I'm also having to fix the wife's garden wall which collapsed, so you know where the priorities are.  If this doesn't work out I will get in touch with you and I'll try to use your dowel pins.

Tom beaver