Today I pinned the crank pulley on 5.3 Radix setup.The pulley had been spinning on the crank and finally backed out the bolt.The pulley was a right off but no damage to the crank.I called Magnacharger and had them send the pin installation kit they use on the Corvette.The installation was easily installed with the supplied drill guide,drill bit and reamer.The problem cost me a new pulley and a belt.I suggest that everyone running a Radix system at least check your crank pulley and consider pinning it.I was very fortunate that my pulley failed at low speed close to a friends garage that was equipted with tools and a lift.If it had failed at speed or in traffic I would have probably written off an engine and a radiator.

 

I researched this issue further since your last post and I am pretty confident that this is an isolated problem. GM and Magnacharger are aware of the problem that exists on the Corvette 5.7 with the weak crank pulley. The 5.3 truck motor has not experianced ANY problems with the crank, supercharged or not. After extensive testing they feel that the problem that you have had is a freak thing. They told me that they Fe-Exed the pinning kit out to you next day....WOW that’s service! My understanding is: there are 2 failures out of 500+ kits sold, not bad odds in my opinion. I will keep and eye on it though!
Have you run your truck at the track yet?

 

Freak thing or not I would check the pulley of the 500 kits no one has a high milage Radix installation.My pulley was reamed out enough thst I could easily slip it on the crank and move it side to side.

 

Hmmm...that sounds interesting.....possibly a pre exsisting problem??

I checked mine and it seems cool. I will keep an eye on it!

 

Hey whitt1 how much is this pinning kit?

 

Magnacharger sent me the kit at no charge,I did pay shipping.It consisted of a longer than stock bolt with a combination spacer/drill guide,a hardened drill bit,a reamer,2-hardened roll pins and a new crank bolt.I would guess the kit would be worth about $20-$30.The roll pin installation was easy with the ecception of the final torquing of the crank bolt which requires an additional 140 degrees of angle torque.I had no problem with it,but it would be hard to accomplish without a lift and proper tools.What I'm trying to say is don't try it laying on your back in the driveway.The pin installation is well thought out,look at www.magnacharger.com and bring up the Corvette PDF for pictures and details.

 

Whitt, how is the pulley holding up?

 

Hey Whitt

Here is what you need for that extra 140 degrees of angle.

 

Nice!

 

That looks like what I used,but it's easier from underneath the truck.When I did the final torquing my friend who owned the shop kept saying I wouldn't tighten that bolt anymore,that bolt's gonna break,and there's no way your get that bolt out if it breaks.It didn't break it actually can be done.If that pulley ever comes loose either the mechanic will use a 6'cheater bar or the nose of the crank will still be attached.