The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Crankshaft woodruff key for my 1960 235

Thought I was ready to actually drop the engine in my truck, but alas, another issue popped up. Hopefully this will be the last before it's actually running.
My old crank pulley just slid on and off the shaft easily. Seems this is a fairly common issue, and all the old posts really helped me. I found another pulley that seems to fit better. Just need a new woodruff key. Tried to look through a couple of online parts catalogs for the key, with no luck. Where is the best place to get a new woodruff key? Is this something I can just purchase at a local auto parts store? I'm assuming these are sized keys, my truck's manual doesn't give me this info. Thanks all.

small block Chevrolet will be perfect. same as yours.

I have a bag of them if you want me to send you one.
George

I'd send him to his FLAPS, farm store or any hardware store.

DG

If a person who needs that woodruff key does not have a woodruff key, Denny, what part-number or dimensions would you send them (send me) with when they go to their FLAPS/etc?

one possibility?:
Width-3/16(.188) In., Length-47/64(.728) In., Height-19/64(.301) In

another possibility?:
Length in Inches--3/4
Width in Inches--3/16

??

Sorry I dint get back sooner Tim, yard work comes first you know.

There are only about three standard diameter woodruff keys in
the 3/16" width, a 605, 606 and 607 and they're only
a few penny's so if I didn't have an old one to use
as a sample I'd just pick up one of each and try
them. I've got two engines on stands but I'm not gonna
pull the dampers to check the size of the key. Besides, I'd bet
our OP has already found his and had the damper on by now.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Great info guys, I really appreciate it. I'm a newbie at this (first engine I've rebuilt in over 30 years) and wasn't sure if the keys were matched to the specific crank. Looks like they are not. From what I've read, woodruff key sizes seem to be standardized. I appreciate the offer to send me a key, but if they are readily available I'll just go to the local auto parts store, buy a bunch and see what happens. with the dimensions listed above I should be in goods shape.

Thanks!
Rick Restivo
Valley Center, CA.

Ah, you are still with us Rick. Yep, they're just like a nut or
bolt, nothing special. Of course there are 'specially' made
offset keys but that wouldn't apply to this application.

DG

Yup, Still here Denny. Picked up the key and installed my new crank pulley. Works like a champ. The engine should have been all set to drop the in the but...
The engine didn't have road draft tube or a PCV valve. I plugged the hole for the road draft tube with a freeze plug, then decided I liked the Road Draft tube option better. Today I knocked the freeze plug into the oil pan. so one more thing to do now before the engine is ready to be dropped in.
Oh well... live and learn. Not so bad, this is just a project, it takes another week no big deal..

I'll send pictures when it's actually running...

Thanks,
VCRick
Valley Center, CA.