Thread: balance the motor or not?

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was wondering if i should have the 355 balanced or not let me know what you guys think about having a motor balanced !!!!

I wouldn't spend the money for a quality build without having it balanced. If nothing else it improves long term life and reliability.

X2! If it's out / apart, it's worth the money & effort!

Runs smoother and last longer.

I can't imagine spending the bucks for a bore, new pistons and rings and maybe a set of rebuilt rods, possibly a crank grind etc without a few more $$ for a balance.

The last Ford 351W I built had some real interesting machining marks after it was balanced - more so then any other that I had had done by this guy so can only imagine how rough it would have been had it not been done.

Balancing is an essential part of engine building. If an engine builder tells you it is not necessary, walk away and find a reputable builder.

Thanks for the question and for the answers as I will put my hand up and admit I wasn't sure of the advantages.

stock engines are far from close ??? what is close??? this is what you should ask when spending money for a balance job. how are the hell you going to check it? as many on line shops sell.. GREAT DEAL Kits.. there mass balanced using not the real parts for weight . but number of what it could be as it.s a averaged out could be off as much as 10 grams or more a end . on stock stuff that ran other then new pistons . many guys balance the rods and pistons match stuff up this is the least i do if the guy will not spend the money for a full balance job. its not always the machine shop. if i have a machine i am paying for taking up space in my shop. i like to get paid to use it . but some guys are cheap . all new parts and big stroke cranks can get very intense$$$$ with cutting down counter weight to plugging heavy metal in the crank . so whats is close for me it is under 1 gram per end of the crank

how much does a balance job run for the motor

Originally Posted by Southernboss84

how much does a balance job run for the motor

you will have to talk to the machine shop you use locally as there no set price state to state . my price to do a balance job may not reflect what the cost is locally for you

If I'm not balanced ....... I fall down. Just Sayin'

The last one I had done was $165 - and he b!@#$ed loudly as he quoted me firm price and it was a lot more then expected regardless of the fact that he had everything in hand first.

Pat's response is what you need for an answer - it varies by area

Originally Posted by pro70z28

If I'm not balanced ....... I fall down. Just Sayin'

Hmmmm so your telling us now your not well Balanced ....

Originally Posted by IC2

The last one I had done was $165 - and he b!@#$ed loudly as he quoted me firm price and it was a lot more then expected regardless of the fact that he had everything in hand first.

Pat's response is what you need for an answer - it varies by area

that not bad ...really on price . i not going to post how much i get for a job but it,s abit north of that. some jobs can be a real pain in the ass if it .s been pluged up and welded you have to cap stuff off and make sure your not opening up someones plugs .can be a real can of worms . some of the great deal cranks do not have counter weight were it needs to be alot of drilling or truning the counter weight in a lathe or need more weight. heavy metal$$$. bad thing is some race cranks are starting to come this way with a very lite counter weight .so at this point we start to drill ream for a press fit plug of heavy metal like this

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

Hmmmm so your telling us now your not well Balanced ....

Your not the first one to mention that. If I eat right though & in moderation I never fall down, but sometimes I learn toward junk food.