Engine balancing-ring elimination

[51 MERC-CT]

I personally don't think so, but if after the engine package is balanced, the 4th piston ring is eliminated, will there be any balance issues?
Any thoughts?

 

[Ol' Ron]

No, not in the least. Rotating mass is more important when balancing the crank assy and only a percentage of the reciprocating weight is used. When building an engine Keep the stock rods with the crank, changing piston weight has little afect on balance. I think that's te reason why back in the day our stock cars lasted so long and we had very few engine engine failures. Our racing association SNRA had 75 members, 70 ran flatheads and I doubt if many had their engines balanced, because there wasn't anybody that did that in our area. Bell in New Jersey did it and tur around was about 3 months.

 

[tubman]

I think "Ol' Ron" is right because the same amount of weight is eliminated from each piston. To be safe, I had mine balanced with just the top 3 rings.

 

[Ol' Ron]

Be intersting to know how much it cost to have it balanced and how far it was off. Did you use an original crank and rod assy or mix and match??
I had a 258 balanced at the customers request. Used the stock crank and rod assy. Crank came back with a 3/8 hole about 1.4" deep on one counterweight. Engine is now good for 8000 RPm for 240 bucks

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Be intersting to know how much it cost to have it balanced and how far it was off. Did you use an original crank and rod assy or mix and match??
I had a 258 balanced at the customers request. Used the stock crank and rod assy. Crank came back with a 3/8 hole about 1.4" deep on one counterweight. Engine is now good for 8000 RPm for 240 bucks

The original crank had three 1/2" dia. holes added that varied as to location to a depth of about a quarter inch on one and 1/8" on the other two.
The rods have material removed at various locations on the big and small end.
This was done at a cost of 225 bucks.