VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Balancing an engine

Is it worth the time and money to balance a 1929 engine during its rebuild. I am not interested in placing a harmonic balancer from a 1930 engine as it detracts from its visible authenticity.

A harmonic balancer (vibration dapner) does not balance an engine. Is smooths out the power impulses/

Yes, you will be surprised how a balance job smooths out an engine and makes the bearings last longer.

Definitely balance your 1929 engine when you have it rebuilt. You will be glad that you did!

How much does it cost to balance an engine? And what all is done?

For a complete balance job, very reciprocating part in the engine is balanced, including the rods and pistons.

It has been many years since I had an engine balanced so I can't remember the exact cost, but as I remember it ain't cheap.

The flywheel and pressure plate sould also be balanced.

So what are we talking about...2...4 grand?

I have had estimates of half of your range ($1k-$2k). On recently rebuilt '28 engine I opted to not spend the extra money for total balance. Just did the the static balance on the internal parts.

It is much cheaper than that,500 dollars maybe less.I used to build drag race engines and they must be balanced,and as I recall it wasn't that expensive,and well worth the money!

I have been told that the insert engines are much less expensive than the older babbitt engines. Maybe it is so they don't have to mess with them.

What would be the difference? They are not balancing the babbitt.

To do a proper job you not only weigh the entire rod but also the ends. If the ends don't weight the same they have to grind off some metal off the heavier ones. Overheating the end with babbitt is maybe what they are afraid of.

I know an engine balance is a good thing but did they really get this spacific from factory? I know they generally balanced things YOU HAVE TOO, but this is no race engine and im not exactly in a position to spend a whole lot while at the same time, having an engine suggesting a rebuild. I know the cliche "do it once do it right" yadda yadda yadda....but seriously? I have NOS rods and the crank WILL be done but one would think all this would have been taken into consideration from factory and the car wont be driven at any 70 MPH speeds.

I tend to agree with Oil Spot.

Where do we draw the line.

Sure a balanced engine may be a bit smoother, but we are talking about an 80 year old Chev.

What is next, do we then fit high comp pistons, oversized inlet manifold, twin carbs and extractors.

It all comes down to money, but I would sooner put a spare $1000 into panel repairs and paint.

Are we restoring old chevs to their original specs, or are we budding hot rodders.

In my case my 28 engine was rebuilt as standard some 30 years ago, still runs fine up to 50MPH, and some days she is rough, and others she seems smoother.

Is this not the character of the beast that we love.

Regards

Ray

The technology back then was really primitive, and the factory didn't balance engines like they do today. All of the pistons were weighed and like pistons were installed. The same with the rods, but the weight tolerances were not that close as compared to today's balancing methods. That is one reason why you can't arbitrarily just pick any rod and put in your engine. A replacement rod should weigh about the same as the other five rods. Over the years there is a good chance that the pistons or maybe a rod or two were replaced due to a rebuild or whatever, and usually the weight considerations (balance if you will) were thrown to the wind.

If you are going to have your engine rebuilt, then you are extremely wise to have the complete engine balanced. Balancing your engine has nothing to do with making your car into a street rod....rather balancing your engine is a wise choice to protect the money that was invested in a quality rebuild. And, not only does balancing help the performance of your engine, it is good insurance since your engine is 80 years old.

Remember, you if you try to cut corners on these old cars to save a buck you are probably going to end up paying for it later...both in cash and in stress...not to mention that it will probably cost you way more than if you had done it right the first time. Money spent on body work, paint and upholstery will not help your old car get down the road, therefore, the best place to initially invest your money is in the engine and the drive train.

Hi Junkyard,

I respect the comments from a wiser head then mine, but was I just lucky when I had my engine rebuild, which consisted of Rebore,Surface Grinding, New Pistons and Rings, new bearings, Crank Reground etc. Would I have noticed a difference over the 30 years so far. Would engine balancing have been done as part of the must do process 30 years ago as it is now.

Regards

Ray

Yes, its nothing new. Would have been done only if specified though..

Yes, as Chev Nut said, balancing is nothing new. However, the technology has changed over the years and balancing has become a lot more accurate.

When going with new rods and new pistons, that is an excellent time to get the engine balanced. If the engine is rebuilt using the original pistons and rods from the factory, then balancing can be probably overlooked (although it is still highly recommended) since the pistons and rods were somewhat balanced at the factory. However, their balancing job was far from perfect but it was better than nothing.

I called around and found a shop that will balance the engine for 80 bucks. and yes they are reputable.

I guess i may have a balanced engine after all.

Cool!