Recommendations for Engine Balancing and Machining - Sydney

[bigmal]

Hi all,
I have been chasing a vibration in my 351C and it has come down to a strip an internal balance. Could I have some recommendations for a good mob to balance the crank etc and also possible crank grind if needed.
I am in the Sutherland area.
Thanks.

[shaunp]

Hi all,
I have been chasing a vibration in my 351C and it has come down to a strip an internal balance. Could I have some recommendations for a good mob to balance the crank etc and also possible crank grind if needed.
I am in the Sutherland area.
Thanks.

Not just the wrong flex plate?

[bigmal]

Not just the wrong flex plate?

At this stage I am not sure. I will be checking that as soon as I have the engine out and that would be great.
Have established it is RPM related. Replaced the harmonic balancer and run with not belts on so time to pull the engine.

[GEOFF289]

You should be able to check the flexplate without pulling the engine. Just take the inspection cover off the bottom of the bellhousing and rotate the engine until you can see the weight, then compare it to online pics of what you should have for that engine.

[bigmal]

You should be able to check the flexplate without pulling the engine. Just take the inspection cover off the bottom of the bellhousing and rotate the engine until you can see the weight, then compare it to online pics of what you should have for that engine.

Thanks Geoff. I will do that. But either way the engine has to come out. If not the flex plate it will be internal.
I am also changing the heads and possibly cam so easier to work on out of the car.

[shaunp]

You should be able to check the flexplate without pulling the engine. Just take the inspection cover off the bottom of the bellhousing and rotate the engine until you can see the weight, then compare it to online pics of what you should have for that engine.

No you look for a cut out opposite the weight 180 degrees offset. 28 and 50 is normally the same plate they just cut a section out opposite that weighs 22oz  then the total imbalance is 50.

[bigmal]

No you look for a cut out opposite the weight 180 degrees offset. 28 and 50 is normally the same plate they just cut a section out opposite that weighs 22oz  then the total imbalance is 50.

That is great info. I hadn't heard that. Thanks.

[shaunp]

That is great info. I hadn't heard that. Thanks.

Not always the case but more often then not.

[shaunp]

look for the cut out like this one

https://www.enginemaster.com.au/b-m-non-sfi-flexplate-bm50238-50oz-balance-suit-fo

[bigmal]

look for the cut out like this one

https://www.enginemaster.com.au/b-m-non-sfi-flexplate-bm50238-50oz-balance-suit-fo

I might try to have a look over the weekend. Thanks

[bigmal]

I took the dust cover off the bell housing and the counter weight was visible. Does this look like the 28oz or the larger one? Looks pretty big to me.

[Reborn67]

If it is any help to you, Mine has a weight approx 92mm long 19mm wide and 11mm thick and is a 28oz f/plate, no cut out on opp side,
(Original Ford plate)

[GEOFF289]

Here's some information I posted on here a few years ago

I have one of each in the garage and just measured the weights on them. The 50 oz weight is approx. 140 mm long and the 28 oz one is approx 100 mm long. Visually easy to distinguish. Hope this helps.

I had to trawl through my posts to find it as i don't have the flexplates in question any more.

Both of the plates I had, and every one I have seen, just had a weight and no cut out opposite. There are plenty of websites showing both side by side without cutouts. I would think that one with a cutout is probably a 28 ounce one that's been rebalanced to 50.

[bigmal]

Thanks guys, I just went back under and took a photo of the opposite side and there is some balancing present but I don't think it's the cutout referred too.
The dimensions are about 110 x 20 x 8 but its a little hard to be accurate in the small gap.

[SMH00N]

To answer your question, Russell Engineering in North Rocks. He builds some of the quickest Mini engines in Group Nc but does just about all things. He is a Ford fan too.

[bigmal]

To answer your question, Russell Engineering in North Rocks. He builds some of the quickest Mini engines in Group Nc but does just about all things. He is a Ford fan too.

Thanks Stephen

[big al]

Mal,
Have you checked to see if every spark plug is firing correctly. Many a time if the plugs or leads are intermitantly breaking down and cause what appears to be an imbalance

Be wise just to check this prior to engine removal unless you absolutely want to rebuild the engine

Al

[bigmal]

Mal,
Have you checked to see if every spark plug is firing correctly. Many a time if the plugs or leads are intermitantly breaking down and cause what appears to be an imbalance

Be wise just to check this prior to engine removal unless you absolutely want to rebuild the engine

Al

Thanks Al,
I recently replace the leads and plugs while doing other trouble shooting and the vibration hasn't changed so am reasonably confident it is not this. When I had the plugs out they all appear to be burning the same. I am changing the heads and intake manifold and will find it easier to work on out of the car with my back.

[scedd1]

Forgive my ignorance but isnt the flex plate a Windsor issue and old mate here says he has a Cleveland?
Please educate me.

[Reborn67]

I get that his is a Clevo' but just trying to help with the identifying of a counterweight, a weight is a weight no matter what it is on?

[bigmal]

I understand the Windsor and Cleveland both use the same 28oz flex plate. I starting to think mine has a 50oz plate.

[GEOFF289]

Yes, same bolt pattern etc. so its possible that a 50 ounce windsor plate has been fitted. That said, from the measurements of the weight provided I think its more likely it is the correct 28 ounce one and the vibration is caused by something else.

[shaunp]

They have to be be quite out of balance to vibrate, typically most engines I do start out 50-60 or more grams out yet you would never know, after balance they are less than 1 gm. Has always been rough? You can get the torque converter balanced as well by a TC shop

[bigmal]

They have to be be quite out of balance to vibrate, typically most engines I do start out 50-60 or more grams out yet you would never know, after balance they are less than 1 gm. Has always been rough? You can get the torque converter balanced as well by a TC shop

I have only had the car 2 1/2 years and have no history on the engine. It has always had the same vibration but as I gradually fix various things and tighten up the rattles it has become more apparent.
I think I am pretty resolved to replacing the flex plate and doing a full balance. It will give me the opportunity to see what's inside and replace anything else that needs it.
Thanks everyone for the comments. The engine will be out in the next few weeks so I will post updates as I go.