Yep! exactly right.Trying to understand, but its hard without the engine in front of me to work on right now. This is the keyway you're talking about I assume:View attachment 37972
Extending it would mean making a new key, and having the keyway cut out longer towards the end of the crank (to the end of the crank?). The whole problem is, you start pressing it onto the crank, but you may be misaligned with the keyway, but at that point its already on and its a bear to take it back off and start again? Do I have that right?
My engine is getting some machine work done right now, so now would be the time if any I guess.
It's more for peace of mind and ensuring your future self is much more appreciative of your current self when you inevitably take it off for some reason or another. I still curse my previous self.To further clarify, this is not a strength issue with the crank key/keyway, this is purely an installing issue - being a PITA to install.
Also, do you know if its normally done all the way to the end of the crank or just longer?
I did not extend my keyway but (2) things that stick out that are great advice in addition. Boiling water to heat up would have helped install and anti-seize for removal.FTR I double confirmed all this with ZZP. Extended keyway is not strictly necessary, but it makes install easier.