Problems with Crankshaft Pulley remake from Speedy Spares

[djnippa]

I don't know if anyone else has had the same problem,
but for the second time, in less than 126 miles (or 4 months) my new fitted aluminium crankshaft pulley (with damper) £90 from Speedy Spares has broken.

293cfed0.jpg

The bond between the rubber damper and aluminium completely broke, whilst driving down the M23 to Brighton on Sunday.
A loud bang under the car could be heard as the aluminium outer ring emerged and bounced past my driver side rear window and into the dividing barrier.
Luckily it didn't fly into the car following me, or smash into the radiator or other part of the car.

The first crankshaft pulley was fitted by the mechanic 4 months ago, but once he'd fitted it, he called me up to say that the bonding was weak, and could I get a replacement.
So I sent it back to http://www.SPEEDYSPARES.CO.UK, who promptly sent me a free replacement.

Now the same thing has happened again, I was wondering if any one else has experienced this?
I cannot get another one from SPEEDY as they are on holiday until the 10th August, and http://www.sunbeam-alpine.co.uk are also in holiday until August 6th.

Anyone know any where else to get one from?

[turbinecol]

Sounds worrying, I hate having to use anything pattern, it just hasn't been through any proper vehicle durability testing. What's the idea of this part- just an NVH thing? Don't see a lot wrong with the standard crank pulley. This isn't a BMW straight six is it?

Other biggest pattern part failure for me are those wretched fuel T pieces. They are too hard, inflexible, and seem to fail catastrophically when exposed to petrol....which isn't ideal given the exhaust manifold sitting just underneath.

[djnippa]

I'm still looking for an original Pulley. If anyone has one please contact me on 07931 694269.

[turbinecol]

Just looked a bit closer at the original on my engine - and yes that is metalastik too. Interesting.

The only other source I can find are Rootesparts.com in Holland, those are patterns again though may be a different source to the problem ones. Might be worth a chat with them. Obviously failing that you are looking at keeping an eye on the bay...

[djnippa]

Thanks but I'd already checked the Holland one, that's where I got the image from.
I spoke with Speedy, and they kindly sent me a solid one (no rubber dampener) for free.
It seems to be fine, and my trust has been somewhat restored.
Although it still looks to be wobbling slightly.
I'm wondering if there is something wrong with the alignment of my crankshaft that could cause the early demise of the rubber seal? Anyone know?

In the meantime a good friend Aubrey brought my attention to an original one still attached to a MK1 engine, that was for sale on Ebay.
I sent the guy a message to see if he'd sell it separately.
He did, so I now have an original one on the way for £30 including delivery.

[thowman]

£30?

The reason that the pulleys seem to wobble is that sometimes the pulleys aren't as true as they should be, and quite often the stuff that is sold by some of the specialists is rejected stock from the time of production. Not saying that the pulley is, but I know other examples that are.

It would be hard to get a crank out of alignment, although it wouldn't be impossible, but is unlikely.

[rich]

not sure if this helps ebay number 360730550393.

[djnippa]

Ha ha. That's actually my listing. I was selling the MK3 I bought off Aubrey.
Unfortunately it's not the same as the MK2.
It has an extra step at the back of the pulley, to line up with the uprated water pump.

It went to a guy in Holland.

[djnippa]

I've just picked up an original METALASTIC one from a ceased engine 1966 MK2 Sceptre.
So I'll be replacing the fixed one from Speedy Spares, and keeping that as a spare, should this one explode again.

[rhythmrider]

I'm actually wondering if the fault is not with the replacement pulley you purchased, but with the mechanic.
If he used a strap wrench to hold the pulley while he tightened the crank bolt, that can cause a new matalastic type pulley to fail quickly.

[djnippa]

I cannot rule that out as a possibility, but the mechanic is a classic car specialist.
He was working on a £150,000 bristol from the 60's when I visited, and he races his classic Lotus Cortina regularly.
I don't think he had the correct tool specific for my car, but had adapted one from another car.

The mechanic rang me up while he was working on the car, and said "The Crankshaft Pulley looks really unstable, it wobbles slightly, and I would recommend you change it".
When he put the first one on from Speedy Spares, he called me up straight away and said "it still doesn't look good, it's still wobbling"
So I went down and had a look. It seemed to oscillate back and forth. So I called Speedy's and they kindly sent out another one.
Two days later the mechanic rang me up and said "Fitted. It looks a lot better".
So that was that, and I picked up the car.

The rest is written above in the first post.

When I rang up Speedy's for the third time, I spoke to the lady (Her knowledge is superior, and I actually prefer to deal with her).
She said "I noticed there were some grip marks on the one I had returned", I said "yeh he just took it off without using the tool, otherwise he was worried it may have been used again"
She replied with "To be honest, it was a Rootes design problem form the start, they were constantly breaking at the bonds - sometimes you get a good one, sometimes not, although we've never had any returned before".
So she sent me the standard one.

The engine specialist who is rebuilding my engine to fast-road specs 88bhp > 130bhp, will balance the whole engine.
If there is a wobble in the crank, I will inform everyone.
I know that the thrust bearing needs replacing, so you may know more than me, as to wether this is the source of the problem.

[djnippa]

I've found this excellent site for a few brand new high quality parts.
Not the same as the Dutch/ SpeedySpares ones.

http://www.joesrestorationrescue.com/pr ... pulley.php

[rhythmrider]

From your description, it sounds like you DO have a good mechanic.
Since the Alpine racers use the same pulley, there seem to be several shops out there making custom versions (at custom pricing!

Here is another one.
http://www.bhjdynamics.com/index.php?ma ... cts_id=153
http://www.bhjdynamics.com/index.php?ma ... cts_id=232

[djnippa]

Good find. BHDynamics seem to have three variations:-
http://www.bhjdynamics.com/index.php?ma ... x&cPath=25

The prices are a little excessive, but I have lost faith in the UK Version.
£90 + Postage (from UK) from SpeedySpares
£131 + Postage (from US) from JoesRestoration
£141 + Postage (from US from BHDynamics - Standard one
£257 + Postage (from US) from BHDynamics - Racing one.

[rhythmrider]

BTW, if you are not planning to replace the timing cover and seal at the same time with the modified seal, you will need to get the version of the pulley with the "oil slinger" threads on the shaft.
The picture you posted is the version of the pulley for the modified seal and is not a direct replacement without changing the timing cover.

Hate to see you end up with an oil stripe under your bonnet.