I think Boston Bob of Boston Engine does, which happens to be in Boston. bostneng@fcl-us.net There are others, too.

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get your FREE semi-private E-mail account, use your computer at work.

-----Original Message-----
From:   Davidson [SMTP:wdavidson@thegrid.net]
Sent:   Thursday, December 02, 1999 10:41 AM
To:     Bulley; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re:      Re: Engine balancing

Is the anyone who rebuilds 'balanced' engines professionally? ... like where
could I buy one if I don't have the skills or patience to do it myself?
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, December 02, 1999 3:29 AM
Subject: Re: Engine balancing

>-----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
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>----------------------
>Get your FREE semi-private E-mail account, use your computer at work.
>
>
>-----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
>