Aftermarket Crank Bolt....Big Problem!

[Diseazd]

Anyone buying the aftermarket crank bolt from MSA needs to pay attention. I built a new modified L28 motor several months back. Everything new....everthing including the heavy duty crank bolt! It was shaved and shimmed, Isky Stage III.....no expense spared. It ran beautiful with some nice gitty-up. One problem.....between 1600 and 3000 rpm it had a chain type noise. I pulled the new engine down to try to find the problem......the crank sprocket had loosened the woodruff key. No problem, must be a bad crank since all is new. New Nissan crank pulley, new bronze worm gear, seals etc. etc. So I installed a new crank.....Everything new....new Nissan crank pulley, new heavy duty crank pulley bolt etc. Rebuilt the bottom end with all new bearings, crank etc. Noise is still there. Conclusion....talked with my good friend Todd Wagner at Tidewater Z. He explained that there is a small amount of play in the crank pulley but when you torque up the crank damper, everything locks up(crank sprocket, worm gear, slinger etc.). I took in this info to Riley at Lynchburg Nissan (Riley really knows Z's) and viola'.....he asked if I was running the after-market bolt with the stock damper. There is a machined drop down on the large washer that bottoms against the crank nose before things lock-up. If anyone is using the stock damper and large washer, it needs to be machined down to prevent interference with the crank nose!!!! Hope this helps everyone avoid the hair pulling experience I've experienced. A $2.00 washer has driven me crazy!!!!! Guy

[GreenZZZ]

Wow, I'm about to put the front of my motor back together. Can't imagine more timely info. Sorry you had the time/expense setback!

[EVILC]

I was just reading MSA's site because I am ordering their pulley and bolt kit. I am in the middle of building a L30ET and this is my first build. Thanks for the info and glad you got it fixed before any damage was done to the motor.

[conedodger]

I have one of the Nissan Motorsports crank bolts and I believe it has that recess on the backside. Annoying when something little spoils a big money effort... Hope all works out.