I've been rebuilding an engine in the last few days (standard crankshaft), and I had to take a few thou off the side of the (new)key, so it could be a batch of slightly oversize keys.

Location: Bonnie Galloway

I have always 'fitted' keys, I assumed it was common practice to adjust them to a nice snug fit.

David Cochrane explained to me about the rear crankshaft nut.
The standard thread would be one of Austin's 'Admiralty' threads and David specifies that for shafts he buys.
However Phoenix tend to use standard Whitworth by default in which case the Phoenix nut is needed.

Location: Melrose, Scottish Borders

No, it's normal for keys such as these to be specified to the same size as the keyway and therefore needing a small degree of 'fitting'. The alternative is the risk of the key being a touch undersize and that would be no good at all would it? Remember, the manufacturer of the keys is not likely to be the manufacturer of the keyway.

Steve

Location: North Yorkshire

Yes quite right Steve and R. I wasn't very clear. The key I had "in stock" came from one of Fathers tins of keys, so I wasn't certain it was the correct one, hence I ordered one. They are far better ground to size, so they fit properly.

Thanks again for the advice. Yes I have the correct nut and lock washer supplied with the Phoenix crank. I do however take on board the trimming of the key to fit the new crank. The previous strip down and rebuild I did on a seven engine used the same crank and key etc so all went together without having to make the key fit.

Location: Mansfield Nottinghamshire