I'm sure you need to draw the line somewhere but since you're planning to use this engine, I think it is absolutely worth it. You'll be glad you did. While you're at it, balance the damper, the flywheel, and maybe the pressure plate. Some shops don't charge extra to do that with the crank. Also do the rods and pistons - they are usually included in a balance job. After you balance an engine, you'll be surprised just how out of balance a "smooth running" engine was.


Lawrenceville, GA

Matt2491,

Nice!

I have a cautionary question: By the looks of the various piston / rod combinations, I see a large variation in the looks of the large-end counterweight (balancing weight); have you static-balanced that set of eight to each other for weight-match.

If not, (IMHO) please take the time to obtain a gram-scale; and, carefully static-balance all to the lightest of each end.

I've done this many moons ago, and balanced to within 1/10 gram; which made that engine really sweet (even without dynamic balancing); you could stand a nickel on edge all day on it's intake manifold while idling; and, it would start on the first stroke.

After static balance, THEN, have it dynamically balanced.

Regards,   JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

The crank, rods, rod bearings, pistons, rings, snout gear, and damper are at the balance shop. I still don't have a flywheel to bring him yet; maybe I'll order one from Mummert today. I feel fortunate to have found a really good balance shop called Lindskog Balancing in Boxborough MA. The guy there was extremely helpful and took the time to show me around and explain how a balance job is done. Sounds like it'll be worth it.

_____



Billerica, MA

Where are you located? I'm in Manchester, NH. You might add your location to your tag line or avitar. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Some shops have an adapter for flywheels. If you don't have it now, he may be willing to do it when you have it at a discounted rate or maybe even no additional charge since you had everything else done - ask.


Lawrenceville, GA

Yea this guy has a full line of flywheel adapters and can neutral balance it separately. He included it in with the cost, I just need to bring it to him once I have it. I placed an order for Mummert's billet flywheel today and he said he should have them in stock next week, so hopefully I'll receive mine the week after that.



I was also wanting to order a high-res aluminum intake but Mummert said those wouldn't be in stock for another 8-9 weeks.



By the way, Mummert is also introducing his own scripted finned valve covers coming in August! Looking forward to seeing what those look like.



EDIT: Picked up a Holley 390cfm carb for a real good deal. Decided to hold onto my Edelbrock 500cfm for another project... That should make Charlie happy. Anyways, some may say the 390 is too small, but I think it's going to help low end throttle response and torque. This is a truck after all. Opinions are welcome!

_____



Billerica, MA

I see you have the HD truck rods, this may have something to do with your pistons so far down in the hole as they are slightly shorter than the standard EBU rods.  .045 is a lot to take off the deck.  If it's already done just watch for you intake alignment if it hasn't been done yet you might just have the shop take .020" off the deck and use the steel shim gaskets this will give you a quench area of .050". Around .035"-.040" is best (IMO) but .050" ain't bad.  You will still need to watch the intake alignment and maybe make your own gaskets, remember those heads you have are milled .050" and have already been cut on the intake side.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Good 'catch' in spotting the truck rods, Tim! 292 HD rods, pistons with standard 292 piston pin height... problem!


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Good observation regarding the large variation in the size of the large end pads, JLB!


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Thanks everyone. Next question: Now that both the deck of the block and Tim's heads are cut perfectly flat, should I run a composition head gasket or steel shim copper gaskets? Which seal better for the long term? More reliable?

_____



Billerica, MA