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Date:         Thu, 2 Dec 1999 06:31:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Engine balancing
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@SCOTT.NET>

-----Original Message----- From: John Rodgers [SMTP:inua@SCOTT.NET] Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 1999 11:47 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Engine balancing

Can anyone explain to me the process/procedure for balancing the internal parts of an engine....pistons, rods, etc, and dynamic balancing of the entire rotating assembly.....pistons, rods, crank, flywheel and clutch plate. How do they do that on automotive engines?

Yes, someone can. I am one who can, and will.

Do machine shops literally grind a little material off the piston skirts or some other place until the pistons match the lightest one in the bunch?

Yes.

Is it similar for rods.

Yes.

Where is the typical location to remove material?

For rods, not only do they match the members of the set one to another, they also match to weight of the rod end-to-end. If you imagine a rod being shaped roughly like the classic "dog bone" (femur) they balance the ends to be identical.

What considerations must be given in each case?

Not sure I understand the question. Basically, anything that spins, or reciprocates in a motor is a candidate for balancing. Machinists know where they can, and cannot take off metal.

How would one balance a crankshaft?

One would take it to a machine shop, where it would be mated with the flywheel, clutch, & clutch cover, then spun on a machine (like a tire balancer). The educated machinist use the figures from the machine to judge where to mill off metal in judicious locations, like forge marks, and throw ends.

And where would the metal be removed?

As above.

And what do you look out for?

Not sure what you mean. Look out for shops that could get to it immediately, or that predominantly have tractor parts, or bicycle parts in the shop. Look for other VW motors. Talk with the machinist.

Years ago <<<snip>>>>

This service runs anywhere from $50 to $150. I paid $100 here in Raleigh at the renowned T-HOFF. You may be interested in a counter-weighted crank, which further eliminates vibrations/harmonic imbalance in your motor. There is a little more information on my website about motor balancing/CW cranks... http://www.bulley-hewlett.com/VWindex The dollar figures I quote there are guesses (and I say it). The cost of a CW crank was $350 for my motor, and as I said, my balance was $100.

Good luck, it is the best money you will spend when rebuilding.

G. Matthew Bulley Bulley-Hewlett Corporate Communications Counselors www.bulley-hewlett.com Cary, NC USA 888.468.4880 tollfree

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-----Original Message----- From: John Rodgers [SMTP:inua@SCOTT.NET] Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 1999 11:47 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Engine balancing

Can anyone explain to me the process/procedure for balancing the internal parts of an engine....pistons, rods, etc, and dynamic balancing of the entire rotating assembly.....pistons, rods, crank, flywheel and clutch plate. How do they do that on automotive engines? Do machine shops literally grind a little material off the piston skirts or some other place until the pistons match the lightest one in the bunch? Is it similar for rods. Where is the typical location to remove material? What considerations must be given in each case? How would one balance a crankshaft? And where would the metal be removed? And what do you look out for?

Years ago I used to balance cranks and aircraft propellers some. The cranks would be put on a knife edge device and if something was not right it would roll right over with the heavy side down. Propellers same way. A stub shaft was mounted through the hub assembly an the whole thing set on a knife edge. It would always rotate to heaviest side down. In some of the propellers you would add lead wool to hollow bolts to get the balance right, or add or remove lead washers in certain parts of the propeller.

But i have no idea how it is done in the automotive world.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John Rodgers "88GL driver wannabe


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