This page shows how to drill a crankshaft for
pressure oiling. This was a period modification to the Model T engine. The
diagram below is from a 1925 article by Murray Fahnestock
Unlike this diagram, we prefer to drill the
webs all the way through, since this makes it easier to align the holes when
drilling from the journals to the web. The photo below, shows Fred Houston with our homemade fixture
for holding the crankshaft.
More recently the fixture has been mounted on
unistrut to make it easier to slide it around on the drill press table. We use 3/16 inch aircraft extension
bits which are 6 inches long. A spare drill or a 3/16 inch rod can be used to
make sure the holes are aligned
When drilling from the journals to the webs,
start in the horizontal position, then tilt the drill press table after the hole
is started. Use plenty of oil and clean the hole frequently. Be very
careful when the drill approaches the intersecting hole, since the bit can break
easily when it first breaks through.
Back
to Technical Page