When installing a shorter connecting rod than a crankshaft was meant for, it is sometimes necessary to clearance the counterweights. A quick reference we do is to use the shorter connecting rod as a guide to mark how much counterweight needs to be removed. First, with your piston…
Adam Cofer Don Ott Racing Engines York Springs, PA
When balancing an externally balanced crankshaft, the harmonic damper needs to be installed at the correct location against the timing gear to maintain proper balance. Sometimes you might get a balance job and the timing gear is not on the crank. We have saved a selection of…
Nick Jones Automotive Machine Fraser, MI
I always “phase” my bobweights. I start by screwing in a couple bolts into the crankshaft flange. It seems to be a good starting place and seems to place the first throw up. I level across the bolts then 0 my degree wheel. Then I level each Bobweight…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Menahga, MN
We shim many different components to get square or level before we machine. Don't forget the rod and cap when cutting for resizing. Shim to get the parting surface to cut as the factory did whether it's 90 degrees to the sides or not, and your rods will…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Menahga, MN
When attempting to remove a locating dowel pin from a connecting rod, screw in a tap with the same diameter as the dowel pin. Then use a punch or drift to hit against the tap from the other side. The tap will grip the dowel pin and…
Joshua Pridgen Parks Engine Service, Inc. Seguin, TX
When balancing crankshafts, I feel I is imperative that the crank straightness be checked and corrected for before any balance work is done to ensure accuracy. I have an offset indicator that I’ve come up with that mounts right in the mill drill on the machine. If…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
I have an easy way to deburr a connecting rod with the bolt still in and even performance rods with the dowels in. I had some file pieces drilled by my buddy at a tool shop. He drilled them about .005 over with Carbide drills. I have…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Shop Menahga MN
When adding heavy metal to crankshafts, you always want a nice clean installation. I start with a slightly heavier slug than required and machine the center of the tungsten like a barbell to bring the crank into balance, instead of running it short in the hole or drilling…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
If your shop has a particular crankshaft design you tend to balance on a regular basis, we recommend using a crankshaft snout socket as a locator on your magnetic attachment for rpm and position on your balancer. This allows you to quickly remove cranks and install the…
Adam Cofer Salina Engine Salina, KS
I took a BB Chev crank socket and drilled and taped (3) ¼”-20 holes for set screws, 120 degrees apart. You can now use it on Mopar, Pontiac or just about any crankshaft with a 3/16” keyway. Paul Pionessa Pionessa Automotive Lancaster NY February, 2021
Paul Pionessa Pionessa Automotive Lancaster NY