Engine balance?

[wild_maxx]

I am in the planning stage of my next KAE build. I spoke with a mechanic i work with and he recommended to have the engine fully balanced (duh) then assemble it myself. I was reasearching on pauter rods and read they are balanced by the manufacture. I am going to run supertech pistons .5mm over. My question is, should i have the machinist balance the pistons, crank, flywheel and the rods before i assemble the bottom end or after i have it assembled? How do they balance the rotating assembly?

[koukiKA240]

the crank is ballanced on a crank ballancing machine, along with the fly, and harmonic ballancer.

The pistons and connecting rods are matched up together so that each piston/connecting rod combo weighs the same. material isnt added to pistons or cennecting rods if need but, but can be taken away from under the wrist pin. VERY small amount. I would recomend it, ballancing is usually 150-200.~Sam

[epokh]

^yes, the best way would be to take all the parts unassembled in to the machinist and have them balanced...then the shop should keep a balance sheet on hand for your motor....that way if you replace or upgrade something later, you should just be able to take in just the new parts and have them refer to the sheet for balancing.....

[wild_maxx]

Great info guys, thanx alot.

[fiznat]

When you have your parts balanced, dont forget the clutch too!

[wild_maxx]

do they bolt up the clutch to the flywheel and balance it together, all on the crank?

[driftjunke]

Unbalanced motors can lead to rod knock or rods through the side of the block.

Little extra insurance well worth spent.

E

[deviousKA]

Hey Shawn, give Fred at Fred's Precision Engine in lewiston a call. He does the best balancing this side of spokane.

[wild_maxx]

hey thanx for the info devious, does this shop do machine work as well? Would you be interested in helping me assemble my engine? I am going to start gathering parts soon and begin to assemble this spring. I know you are very knowledgable of these motors and I could always use some tips.
Modified by wild_maxx at 9:58 PM 10/16/2005

[deviousKA]

Fred does limited machine work, but has some specialty equipment. Doesnt grind/polish cranks but just about everything else, block/headwork etc.. Serdi machine on site for professional multi-angle (3+) valve grinds, modern balancing equipment, rod sizing and so on. I get my balancing and headwork done there for all of my personal engines.

Id be glad to give you a hand with your next build, let me know when you got it all boiled down and ready to go, or if your looking for parts/machining I could help out as well (local discounts )