Rust on crank journals - What would you do?

Well, I took the crankshaft out of my D2 because under the nice protective wrap the previous owner did to protect the rod journals, it did not seal out from condensation. It has been this way for many years and the rust was rather 'thick' and patchy.

I sanded it down just to see how bad the pitting would be. With a long strip of emery cloth, I can get it to look pretty good but of course it is not like new and I am not sure if the rough surface would be too much for the bearing. Wear on the journal measures out to be around 0.001-0.002" and there is a noticable ridge on one side where the rod bearing does not touch. Max clearance on this engine is 0.015" for rods and mains.

So, should I just sand the heck out of it and make it shiny, and risk making the journal less precise, OR just sand it smooth to remove the rust and not the pitting OR should I get a good used crank with no pitting but maybe more wear????

Intention is to use this machine for a long time. Everything else I am doing is for long term service, so I do not want to waste what are very good main and rod bearings on a crank that will eat them up.

At any rate, I am going to visit the local tractor wrecking yard where he has 2 used cranks with bearings for sale. If one of those are in really good shape I will probably buy it.
Dan

Having assembled numerous engines, truck, tractor and airplane. I would find a crankshaft shop and have it polished. It sounds like you have nothing to loose. I would not try and save it with emery cloth. Crankshaft Supply, here in Minneapolis, did the crank on the 212 grader engine I assembled last winter. Did a beautiful job and it is still a standard shaft.

I too would take it to a shop and have them polish it and then make judgment from there , small pits are not a real problem. Ron