"RoyJ" wrote in message
m...
I ran my trusty Kohler 301 12 hp a bit low on oil, trashed the con rod. (My
bad)It looks like the crank is ok but it has a decent buildup of galled
aluminum on the one side. I could scrape it off but that would risk
scratching the journal. Any bright ideas how to get the aluminum off
without touching the journal? Maybe a few drops of a strong alkaline like
lye???

A brass wire wheel, NOT brass plated wire. Check it with a magnet.