<VV> Balancing act

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/12/2011 6:31:45 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
corvairduval at cox.net writes:

So every  balancer is exchangeable on any engine without 
upsetting balance. Unless  you have drilled the balancer on a particular 
engine to improve things,  then when your balancer fails, you must start 
all over again with all the  separate parts. Way too much work.

Same with Corvair flywheel. It  should be balanced to itself, not to 
correct internal parts imbalance. The  next clutch job and you will have 
to start all over again. I have my  flywheels balanced after I replace 
the rivets with bolts.

Corvairs  are not externally balanced engines. Some others are.

Maybe I just  didn't understand your comment?

Frank DuVal
 
What Frank says is correct. - However - if you are building your own motor  
- just one, for your use - or a race motor. Take the time to completely 
balance  it. Start with the components. Make all the pistons way the same, then 
the big  ends of the rods, then the complete rod weight, then the rotating 
assembly, then  add the flywheel, the clutch plate and the balancer, 
balanced as an assembly.  You will be rewarded with a motor that will run better - 
smoother and with less  vibration, last longer, and will make more 
horsepower than the same motor  without the balancing. 
 
Having said that, the effort involved is NOT for everyone. If you are  
paying for the expertise, the cost is not for everyone. And the opposed cylinder 
 design of the Corvair can cover up a bunch of sins. But if you are adding 
a  flywheel to an already assembled motor, send it and the clutch off to be  
balanced as an assembly. It will make a difference. 
 
Seth Emerson