I am sure almost all of us have heard the tail that you need to keep the crankshaft on end right? why do they claim it will warp if its on its side? but, every crankshaft I have seen shipped is always on its side and in a box with no way of keeping it strait. now my other idea is say you made one out of playdoe or something soft that will move. now stand it up on end it will loose shape real fast and fall all over right? but, lay it on its side it will keep its shape (well, better than standing up) so whats the deal? I know the best way is in a eng. block. is this all just a wifes tale? I have seen shops leave them on there side and they never seem to have any problems. I have always left them standing up just due to space saving.

 

most cranks will fit inside 8" pvc pipe. install a glue on plastic cap on one end and a rubber clamp on cap on the other, yeah I stand them on end not so much because I think they might bend over time as it is too keep the crank IN THAT PVC covered with the oil I pour in after placeing the crank inside untill the oil level cover the crank(glue on end down) the rubber clamp on caps tend to swell/leak over time if the PVC pipe is layed on its side!

 

i doubt if there is any real chance of a crank bending, but from a space stand point on end makes more sense. i coat mine in grease and wrap in a couple of trash bags. i'm sure there are more, but the only material i've ever heard of "flowing" over time is glass.