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+--- Forum: Technical Discussion (https://forum.mmsports.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=11)
+--- Thread: So what's the deal with woodruff keys? (/showthread.php?tid=1318)
So what's the deal with woodruff keys? - JohnC - 11-10-2004
So, having lost the woodruff key that keeps the crank pulley turning with the crankshaft, I began to ponder... Why is it there? Is it to provide a point of failure between the crankshaft and the accessories? To avoid the potential for damage to the crankshaft (and hence avoid having to dissasemble the engine if the theres an issue with the pulley)... I dunno - Discuss.
- .RJ - 11-10-2004
To keep the pulley from rotating around the crank...
I assume your cam gears have them as well.
- Mike - 11-10-2004
so teh pulley and crank stay in sync.
- Ginger - 11-10-2004
So I'm assuming you're going to get another one?
- JohnC - 11-10-2004
.RJ Wrote:To keep the pulley from rotating around the crank...
MichaelJComputer Wrote:so teh pulley and crank stay in sync.
Yeah thanks guys, I'm aware of that reason. Guess I didn't phrase the question very well - why isn't there a raised key on the crankshaft as opposed to the little woodruff key? Why is the woodruff key a separate piece?
- JohnC - 11-10-2004
.RJ Wrote:I assume your cam gears have them as well.
Nope. The cam shafts have a keyed endplate that mates with the cam sprockets and keeps the whole assembly in sync.
- .RJ - 11-10-2004
mongooze Wrote:why isn't there a raised key on the crankshaft as opposed to the little woodruff key? Why is the woodruff key a separate piece?
Probably cheaper to do it that way.
- Andy - 11-10-2004
Maybe it's also separate because then, a builder can replace the keys. I've actually never known any to do that, but maybe in older cars, it would be a good idea. Also, I'd imagine they could be made stronger and like RJ said, cheaper, than if it had to be machined from the crank or cast with it. But in keeping with your initial insights, I actually saw a Miata with the crank snout snapped out. Amazingly, the crank pulley was still sitting inside the engine bay, and not thrown out like a bullet.
- Evan - 11-10-2004
jackstands Wrote:I actually saw a Miata with the crank snout snapped out.common problem with they early miatas
they had a shortnose-crank
- Andy - 11-11-2004
Evan Wrote:jackstands Wrote:I actually saw a Miata with the crank snout snapped out.common problem with they early miatas
they had a shortnose-crank
Jesus, that's common.