[564Kathleen]

I have a 4 bolt main that I am going to extract all the tourqe and HP I can out of it and plan on installing a blower. I am wondering if i should balance it or not. I'm leaning towards doing it. But I would like to have a few opinions about the pros and cons. I understand that you guys are the ones to ask. One more thing I am an old school gear head. I also went to mechanics school back in '86. I just can't remember all that stuff, so don't hold back on the technical stuff.
John

[machine shop tom]

A crankshaft is built to rotate around the machined center of the shaft itself. An out-of-balance condition will cause the crank to want to spin off center. The amount of acceptable imbalance depends a lot on the intended use. A blown motor really should be balanced because A, it will help the motor live longer, and B, the parts you will build it with will not weigh the same as the original components, which were probably not that closely balanced to begin with.

tom

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Re:: What Tom Said!!!

[Hippie]

Balance! It's worth it.

[fitzwell]

'nother vote for balance......you're in the motor anyways...............

[Centerline]

If you change pistons, rods, crank, or piston pins (basically any part of the rotating assembly) you NEED to re-balance the engine. Not to do so would be wasting your money.