basic engine balancing question

[hcoles]

on a 3.2 stock clutch/flywheel parts..stock engine with original crank/etc. - is it good practice to balance the flywheel/clutch asm. separately from the crank? Any comments about good methods/bad methods..? Common ways "machine" shops to this?

Thanks,
-h

[304065]

From one acknowledged expert:

The norm I use is to first balance the crank, add the pulley and balance it, add the flywheel and balance it, add the pressure plate and balance it. I like to add three additional pins to locate the pressure plate on the flywheel. I also index and balance a spare pressure plate. Be sure to mark the flywheel and pressure plates with an index mark.

Now, we know that 911 flywheels are "indexed" already insofar as they only bolt on one way, much like the fuel tank sender. But I believe that what the expert means is that there's enough tolerance at the flywheel to crank junction that marking it for reassembly helps.

I plan to use USED flywheel bolts for the balancing process and then when the balancing is done, throw these in the garbage and use NEW flywheel bolts. So that necessitates marking the flywheel and crank so when they are taken apart, you can reassemble them exactly as balanced.

[Henry Schmidt]

Balance everything separately. that way if you need to replace the flywheel (for example) balancing the flywheel will keep the assembly in balance.
We balance each piece then spin the assembly to check overall balance.