Balanced Crankshaft vs Stock

[J and M Machine]

I'm having a hard time trying to decide between using a counterbalanced or stock crankshaft. I like the low end torque of the stock crankshaft and stock flywheel but not the vibration that comes with it. I am impressed with the smoothness of a counterbalanced crank and lightened flywheel with a v8 pressure plate. I realize there is a huge difference in cost. What are the implications of using a stock flywheel and a counterbalanced crankshaft??

If your engine is balanced properly you will be satisfied and save money in stock configuration.
We often hear this argument that the counterweighted crank is better and smoother.Fact is that the description is wrong as a stock crankshaft and engine internals can be balanced to run smoothly.
Ford balanced every engine; reason they run rough is that over the years everyone has been into the engines and changed parts,throwing the balance off.

However if you so choose to get a counterweighted crankshaft you still have to balance rods/pistons and pressure plate and flywheel to get a balanced engine.

There is no reason to "lighten" flywheel to have a smooth running engine or reduce the flywheel weight with a counterweighted crankshaft.
As long as everything is balanced professionally it will run well without issue.
http://www.jandm-machine.com/balancing.html

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

I think some are getting the terms balanced crank and counter weighted crank confused (at least it's confusing me ) .

A stock crank and a counter weighted crank can both be balanced...and probably both should be for the smoothest running engine.

 

[hardtimes]

As you probably know , in early spring of 32 , ford four cylinders were factory counterweights. And all B block factory rebuilds after, were as well. must of been a reason. ( tongue in cheek)

Hey Chuck,
Hm, I must have missed something regarding Fords B/C counterweighted factory installed crankshafts .
I thought that Ford put the improved B/C counterweighted cranks into his B engines late in '32, i.e.- December
Probably wrong, but what's new, eh

 

[Kevin in NJ]

Do not forget Ford made a counter weighted crank for the A, well the AA.

They were used on the grain bodies cause the engines were basically run full out to get the grain to market to make the most money.

 

[CarlG]

Do not forget Ford made a counter weighted crank for the A, well the AA.

They were used on the grain bodies cause the engines were basically run full out to get the grain to market to make the most money.

Do you suppose that these were also used in the Ambulance and Police vehicles?

 

[Kevin in NJ]

Do you suppose that these were also used in the Ambulance and Police vehicles?

It is my understanding only on the AA trucks because they need to run flat out until the field was done.

 

[Brian T]

Do not forget Ford made a counter weighted crank for the A, well the AA.

They were used on the grain bodies cause the engines were basically run full out to get the grain to market to make the most money.

From what I remember only factory reconditioned engines were given counter balanced cranks for the Double As, the only difference the AA engines had was a heavy duty clutch.

 

[Dave in MN]

Kevin in NJ: I have taken lots of AA engines apart and I have yet to come across one of the mentioned
counterweighted AA cranks. Are you guys sure there is such a crank?

Or could you be thinking of...

Many early B cranks were fitted with counterweights when they were reconditioned by the factory for commercial purposes. In some circles they were referred to as a "C" crank.
Good Day!

 

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Hey Chuck,
Hm, I must have missed something regarding Fords B/C counterweighted factory installed crankshafts .
I thought that Ford put the improved B/C counterweighted cranks into his B engines late in '32, i.e.- December
Probably wrong, but what's new, eh

You're right, I guess I misremembered !

 

[forever4]

Hey Chuck,
Hm, I must have missed something regarding Fords B/C counterweighted factory installed crankshafts .
I thought that Ford put the improved B/C counterweighted cranks into his B engines late in '32, i.e.- December
Probably wrong, but what's new, eh

You are correct Rich,
The Ford factory counterweighted crankshafts came out in November/December 1932 in the Model B engines. There were both integrally counterweighted and press on counterweight styles made by Ford to fit the B engine, not the 'A'.

Ford never made a counterweighted crankshaft for the Model A engine. The only readily available counterweighted mass produced crankshaft for the Model A was/is the Burlington crank.

Custom made crankshafts such as Scat, Moldex, and Eubanks are available depending on the size of your checking account.

See the link for more info on various counterweighted crankshafts.

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/burlingtoncrankshaft.htm

 

[Kohnke Rebabbitting]

Do not forget Ford made a counter weighted crank for the A, well the AA.

They were used on the grain bodies cause the engines were basically run full out to get the grain to market to make the most money.

Kev, I have never seen or heard of one. Do you have any pictures of one. I would like to see what they look like.

Thanks,

Herm.

 

[40 Deluxe]

Kev, I have never seen or heard of one. Do you have any pictures of one. I would like to see what they look like.

Thanks,

Herm.

I, too, would like to see one. I had an uncle who was an A lover from the '30's until he died in the '70's. He talked about the counterweighted B crank (which he called a C) but never mentioned a counterweighted AA crank nor had one in his 'collection'.

 

[CarlG]

It is my understanding only on the AA trucks because they need to run flat out until the field was done.

But, of course, the ambulance was/is a AA.

 

[Bruce Adams]

My rebuilt engine from Antique Engine Rebuilders in Skokie is balanced and is smooth as glass, even at high speeds, which it also does well without shaking. The difference from my previous, stock engine is remarkable. Sometimes at a light I question whether the engine is on, but no, its just smooth.