Well, I'm totally new to this thing of balancing  automotive engines, but I am
learning about it.

While there may be someone or shops who do the whole thing in-house, any shop
that overhauls your engine should be able to get it done. Like myself, you can
have your mechanic out-source the machine-shop and balancing work. Some I have
learned about are:

Demello in California (sometimes found in Hot VW's Mag.)

Hesco in Birmingham, Alabama ---Top notch/ the ultimate in this area, do racing
engines, Lamborgini's, Ferrari's, etc.....but pricey!!

T-Huff in North Carolina.

Just to name a few.

I'm sure there are others.

John Rodgers
"88GL Driver wannabe

Davidson wrote:

> 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
> >