Harvey Crane Jr. passed away last Friday at the age of 81. In 1953 Crane founded his company called Crane Engineering with the sole purpose of increasing the performance and efficiency of internal combustion engines in all sorts of applications. We’re most thankful for his contributions to the world of high performance automotive engines (which his company proudly continues today) and his tireless dedication to putting out a solid product that racers and wrenchers could rely on. There are LOTS of camshaft companies that have come to life after people learned the craft working and innovating at Crane. We’re also thankful for that. Crane Engineering was truly one of the bedrock companies that launched today’s multi-billion dollar aftermarket high performance industry.
Here’s what Harvey Crane said himself about how he got into the cam game:
As a teenager I built racing engines and chassis for circle track racing, and at the age of 18, I took those skills with me while racing stock cars in the heartland of our nation. When I returned back home to the Miami area I began building engines for other South Florida racers, many of whom were hot rod street racers. My engines quickly gained a reputation for power and reliability, but it was my interest in increasing power through camshafts that led me to purchase my first hot rod, aftermarket camshaft. That first cam, bought from a California company, proved to be all I hoped it would be. It was when I ordered three more exactly like it that launched me into grinding my own camshafts.
When I received the first camshaft I checked every lobe, all 16, and recorded the data. When I checked the lobes on the second order I found that not one of the subsequent cams was the same as that first. It was then that I knew, perhaps with youthful overconfidence, that the machinist’s training I received at an early age would allow me to make accurate, repeatable racing camshafts. Soon after that I realized that with intensive study I could teach myself to make more powerful, accurate and consistently repeatable camshafts for racing engines. Within a few short years I gave up my engine building business to focus entirely on camshafts.
Chad and I are very proud and honored by the fact that Crane Cams is involved with BangShift. Their company has a great legacy and we’re glad that Harvey was alive long enough to see that the company weathered some tough times to emerge stronger and better than ever before. While he has passed away, his spirit will live forever in the products and pride that Crane employees take in crafting them.
We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Harvey Crane and his innovation, spirit, and undying need to make more power!
We stand on the shoulders of giants. Humble men. Thinking me. Many kids today just don’t even realize how great these folks were. Godspeed, Mr. Crane.
As I was reading the article it reminded me of back around 1979 when I learned how important timing events were when it comes to a camshaft, including smooth idle drive it down the road for fuel mileage to balls out just about any application. Although I have been away from any hands on assembly for about 15 years the one thing I found was a single cam company that every time I would check timing events on all cylinders Crane was the ONLY company that was spot on every time. Now I know who to thank.
Thank you for your kinds words about my Dad. I was so proud of him. He will be missed by many.
Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends, he will be missed by many!
I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Crane, I always think about the great products that have come our way because of him, I’ve used Crane stuff for years and is always top shelf quality. We will miss you!