Forged crank 440 ID

[racingsnake440]

I've been offered a 440 out of a 1973 motorhome, is there an easy way to tell if it has a forged crank whilst it's still in the motorhome? Are the motorhome engines the same as used in cars (heads, pistons etc)

Thanks

 

[dusterdon]

If the motor is still together (oil pan on) look at the harmonic balancer. A cast crank will have a balancer with some offset weight on it. But beware, someone may have put an incorrect balancer on it.

 

[mikedevore]

if the crank is out, look at the casting line thru the rod journel, if it has a clean crisp thin casting line it is a cast crank, if it looks like the casting line has been ground down & is a little wide it is a forged.

 

[dusterdon]

If the crank is out, tap it with a hammer. A forged crank will ring like a bell while a cast crank will thunk.