Here is a pic of two cranks the one on the left being forged and the one on the right being cast. Notice the difference in the parting lines (the forged being much wider) We have taken apart numerous L and Hd powerplants and have found many of them to have the cast cranks, primarily th 02 L's and 02 03 HDs ( we have not dissassembled an 03L) It appears there is no rhyme or reason as to what crank is installed and this is not being found in just re-manned motors. This issue is not new and has been found multiple times by our local dealer as well.Finally I will say this, while at the dealer visiting a friend ( also the svt tech) we had a discussion with the field rep and were told ( I stress he said this was a rumor) that Ford, in an effort to control the failure rate of the rods was using cast cranks ( the cast units will flex) to "cushion" the bottom end some.
Paul

 

Great pics Paul.

 

Not doubting the statement ...

BUT they change the crank rather than change the rods ? I know the crank was already in the parts bin ... But wouldnt it be easier to just change the rods ?

Doug

 

Sounds like Class Action time ...

 

It's not class action time.

We haven't actually had a single person prove that a Lightning was built with a cast crank.

Even if it did happen, that person would have to have their crank break and Ford not replace it.

If you're going for the truth in advertising, you'll have to prove that the cast crank doesn't work as well as a forged crank in a STOCK truck. Good friggin luck.

Coldie

 

Actually, it is a well known fact in the industry that forged cranks are stronger than cast cranks. This is a reason that the Lightning literature uses those terms. It clearly states that Lightnings have "forged steel cranks." We don't have to prove squat if our cranks are cast and not forged. Furthermore, Ford itself charged three times as much for a forged crank than their cast ones. This clearly shows that Ford put less expensive parts in their truck than advertised.

A similar analogy would be Ford stating that our seats were suede, instead of the cloth-type alacantra. We wouldn't need to prove that suede is better than alacantra at all, just the fact that Ford misrepresented the material used in an effort to market the trucks better.

 

So when you get back a core with a cast crank, does it get pitched? Are you replacing the cast cranks with forged ones when you do a 'built' motor?

 

Yes, forged internals are better than cast. Are they better or required in this application?

I think that if they have/are using cast parts, it is in Ford's favor, ie.. "we use them interchangibly because our testing has shown that it doesn't matter"

Ford is allowed to change things (the brochures have disclaimers) and we still haven't had ANYONE prove that a cast crank has been put in a Lightning.

Even if EVERY Lightning had a cast crank, NOONE has broken a crank except for Sal in an amazingly extreme engine that was a reman to start with....

Pretty thin ground.

Coldie

 

I agree with you that there needs to be more proof before we can *officially* start to point fingers. I'll sit back and wait on that one myself.

As far as what is stronger and what isn't, that's not the point. Again, I don't think this issue has to do with whether we need forged cranks or if cast cranks will suffice for most applications. The issue here is that Ford specifically stated on more than one ocassion in their literature that they used forged cranks. They also stressed that forged cranks were used because of the needed strength, purporting the idea that Lightning 5.4 liters were designed to harness and withstand the added stresses of its blown application.

 

promodlightning
Senior Member

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Boynton Beach Florida
Posts: 177

"But thats not what was in my motor....the SVT master mechanic at Ford along with Paul and Tim among others, seen the crank when my engine was disassembled and it was cast, no one could believe it...I got robbed...the crank looks different than a forged crank...Paul at REM can tell you more specifics but the crank is still at their shop...."

So are you saying that promodlightning and REM are lying? I'd just like to see a lot more documentation on this issue.

 

So..Ford saying they install steel cranks is akin to someone saying they have a stock program in the PCM if and when it is inspected.....The steel crank may be in the motor or may not...If you inspect it it may not be steel..if you don't inspect it...it may be cast....

Do as I say....

Not as I do....

More funny shiit....

 

Has anyone checked the 03 Spec's to see if it says FORGED like the 01 + 02 ???

Cause if it does say Forged and some 03 HD's have Cast then some 03 L's prob do to ??? And then this would now be the 3rd yr in a row Ford wrote Forged in the Spec's but yet
SNUCK SOME CAST IN.

There has to be laws to protect the consumer from stuff like this. Don't we deserve to get WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GIVING US ???

Kinda like when GM was putting the wrong Division Motors in some of their Cars, some of you old timers must remember that one.

 

Whats the deal about lititure or whatever the **** it is dude.
That **** changes every ****ing day and the day i buy a 30 grand vehicle because of some specs printed on a piece of paper is the day ill whipe my *** with it
Ford will prove the cast holds well within the stock specs if you want them too, they have done it already im sure.
If you blow your crank and the truck is stock you will get absolutly no greif from ford and if you asked you would get the forged unit.
SO whats the big, and you have beat the brochure crap to death so come up with something else please.

 

You crack me up!

Hey, I have a bridge to sell if you're interested.

 

While you're at it ...wipe your *** with the warranty......