Balancing the crank shaft

jhowes

Well-known member
I tried to get a machine shop to balance my crank shaft by welding on weights. They said they would not do it and I should buy a new $1000+ crank shaft. Sorry, not in my budget. I understand that there are weights that can be bolted on. Anyone know about these and where they are available? Also, how does one know the exact position to bolt them on to the crank? Jack
 
I think the bolt on weights were a Model T accessory not for the A but I could be wrong. I had a set installed on my T motor when the engine was rebuilt but haven't run it enough to tell if it was an improvement.
 
In the MAFCA magazine, "The Restorer", Mr. Ron Kelley has an ad. He is experienced, and is equipped with updated and calibrated equipment to successfully perform this crankshaft balancing work.

Hint: Also ask if you can also send him your flywheel, clutch plate, and clutch disc which will be attached to your crankshaft .... but "only" if interested in a balanced assembly that will not detrimentally shake both of your headlights off of your fenders.
 
Post the town you live in so we can make a recommendation of where to send it.
There are also several guys that sell the weights, you can buy them, have a GOOD welder weld them on the have it balanced.
 
The model A crankshaft was balanced from the factory and needs no extra weight added anywhere to balance it. The extra weight is added to dampen the racket from the rod and piston assembly flying up and down and the hammering on the power stroke.
Some of the noise from all of the hullabaloo of the rod and piston is dampened at the extra dead weight that is added,, sort of like an anvil,, the bigger and heavier they are the better they work. The idea is that a smaller amount of the twisting and jerking of the crank is transferred to the rest of the car. It's also better for the engine, as one could say that while in operation it's a bit calmer down there, and as a result everything sounds smoother.The new counter weighted cranks (the ones I know about) are still only half of the full counterweight that is needed for perfection, but some is better than none.

A stock crank will balance out fine in a modern computer balancer.

All of the shaking model A engines are from mismatched rods and pistons
that have been used over the years, or the flywheel and or assembly issues, of which there are a few to choose from. But stock assemblies properly assembled should be very satisfactory in terms of balance.
 
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