Enjoyed your really informative info on iron and steel usage.
I seem to recall the term "chilled iron" used in ref. to the lifters.
You suggest that cast iron crankshafts were not used since olden days
but I assure you they are quite common. The most profuse use i
personally can confirm is the Ford 1600 Cortina engine and this is
used in formula Ford race engines. Likely there are many more
marques using cast iron for obvious reasons.
Apparently, when designed properly a cast shaft can and does hold up
in normal as well as high output use.
Since cost is everything to a bean counter..and engineers strive for
a balance between cost and results, I am curious just which cars
these days might still use cast iron...and what type alloy is
employed.
Perhaps someone knows people at a foundry or forging plant which
makes engine cranks. I hope we may yet see some report from people
actually doing this sort of work. I think anyone running a major
crank regrinding service would also be able to supply info to help us
along.
Your comments were most enlightening. Your explanation of how
forging causes the grain of the alloy to flow with the curves, giving
remarkable strength, is well worded.
Dick T.
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