GM 3856223 Crankshaft from Howards Cams

[Craig S.]

I unpacked and inspected the crankshaft from Howards last night, it is identical to what you would expect from GM directly. All of the machine work is clean and smooth, and Howards also inspects and polishes the journals before shipping to make sure there are no defects.

Jerry Michaels noted when he ordered two that they only wanted $50 more for the tuftrided version, and I verifed that today as I decided to order one more just in case I build up another BB. I went with the nitrited crank for the extra for the 2nd unit. It was indeed $149.95 including shipping for this version.

Joe Luica had noted one of the three he checked was cross drilled on the mains, mine was not. John at Howards went back to the stockroom and checked a bunch (including the tuftrided versions) and none he could find were cross drilled, all had the standard clocking.

Maybe Joe was lucky on one of them? Who knows, John told me many of these cranks have been around for years at their facility, so there may be a "luck of the draw" on exactly what vintage you get.

I am just curious how many ways GM offered up the 6223 as far as tuftriding, cross drilling, etc.

There is no doubt these are very nice cranks though......Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: GM 3856223 Crankshaft from Howards Cams

One other point, the crank has orange paint daubs for ID on the line.....just curious how this compares to Joe's cranks or anyone else that orders any...Craig

[Bill W.]

Re: GM 3856223 Crankshaft from Howards Cams

I have 3 orig. 223s out of 65 & 66 396/427s not all were cross drilled,tuftrided,and only 1 had the oil hole edges polished. the 6223 is just the casting # It does not have anything to do with the machine work.Bill

[Rob A.]

Re: GM 3856223 Crankshaft from Howards Cams

The crank in the '66 big block I'm working is a 6223...

[Craig S.]

Re: GM 3856223 Crankshaft from Howards Cams

Thx Rob - it seems there appear to be a lot of 6223's inside of 427's even though GM supposedly never used this crank in 427's. And the scarcity of the 7115 forging seems inconsistent with it's use in other than L88/ZL1 and over the counter sales...Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: GM 3856223 Crankshaft from Howards Cams

Thx Bill - I did realize the forging ID was manufactured into different finished P/N's depending on the machine work, but I always assumed that the tuftrided version would have always had cross drilled mains, but I guess not. Your comments also seem to reinforce that the 6223 forging was used in 427's from GM, not just used by builders as a 427 replacment, even though this forging is supposedly only balanced from the factory at least for 396 and 402 use...Craig

[Bill W.]

Re: GM 3856223 Crankshaft from Howards Cams

2 of mine came out of 427s only one is cross drilled ?

[Michael H.]

Re: GM 3856223 Crankshaft from Howards Cams

Craig,

Actually, your better off without the cross drilled C/shaft. They were only used on L88/ZL1 etc. and in later years, GM changed their thinking on these and recommended that you do not cross drill. I know I would get an arguement from a lot of engine builders but it's just not necessary and not recommended.

Michael