Several days ago I received an internet advertisement that I thought was too good to be true. The item offered was genuine GM forging number 3856223 crankshafts for a "blowout" price of $99.95 INCLUDING shipping (no small matter for something like a big block crankshaft). I would have dismissed the ad, entirely, except that the seller was Howards Cams and Racing Components. These folks have been in business for a long time and have a good reputation.
So, I decided to take whatever chance there was and I ordered THREE of the things. Well, they arrived today and I had a chance to carefully inspect one of them. From what I can see, it is exactly what it's supposed to be. It carries the GM forging #3856223 and it looks to be a GM piece in every way. I'm not sure if the journals are tuft-trided, or not, though. Also, it would be illegal for anyone to put the GM forging number on a non-GM piece. Whatever it is, believe me, it's worth $99.95. Plus, this crankshaft (or any other 396/427 crankshaft) are no longer available from GM.
The GM forging #3856223 crankshaft was used on 1965 Corvettes with L-78 as well as most other special high performance 396 and 402 engines of the 65-70 period. It was never used by GM on a 427 engine as it is counterweighted and balanced for 396 engines. However, it can be used on any 427 by simply re-balancing. I would NEVER assemble an engine without having the reciprocating assembly custom balanced, anyway, so for all practical purposes, this crankshaft is either a 396 OR 427 crankshaft. That's how Howard's advertises it, too.
This 1053 steel, OEM-type crankshaft might not be the thing to use for a racing engine. However, it is WAY strong enough for ANY street engine, including a significantly modified and "uprated" one. So, I've added these to my collection in case I ever build up any more big blocks.
So, I decided to take whatever chance there was and I ordered THREE of the things. Well, they arrived today and I had a chance to carefully inspect one of them. From what I can see, it is exactly what it's supposed to be. It carries the GM forging #3856223 and it looks to be a GM piece in every way. I'm not sure if the journals are tuft-trided, or not, though. Also, it would be illegal for anyone to put the GM forging number on a non-GM piece. Whatever it is, believe me, it's worth $99.95. Plus, this crankshaft (or any other 396/427 crankshaft) are no longer available from GM.
The GM forging #3856223 crankshaft was used on 1965 Corvettes with L-78 as well as most other special high performance 396 and 402 engines of the 65-70 period. It was never used by GM on a 427 engine as it is counterweighted and balanced for 396 engines. However, it can be used on any 427 by simply re-balancing. I would NEVER assemble an engine without having the reciprocating assembly custom balanced, anyway, so for all practical purposes, this crankshaft is either a 396 OR 427 crankshaft. That's how Howard's advertises it, too.
This 1053 steel, OEM-type crankshaft might not be the thing to use for a racing engine. However, it is WAY strong enough for ANY street engine, including a significantly modified and "uprated" one. So, I've added these to my collection in case I ever build up any more big blocks.
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