Finally almost done!

[bryanthompson]

Pretty much the same. It does feel a little better with the alternator actually putting some power out.

Note to anyone having alternator questions... Autozone will tell you that your alternator is bad if it puts out less than 15 volts. On our alternators, you don't want 15 volts... I learned this after buying a new one. It's likely that I didn't need an alternator in the first place. The huge wiring mess was most likely my charging problem. i.e.: i had it wired wrong and had cables not connecting to anything at all.

The vibration is pretty goofy. It's not a high frequency vibration like I'd expect from a balance shaft being 180 out. I did double check those and they are okay, btw This vibration/sound is at 1500+ rpm. It doesn't go away, but it does change with RPM. It's almost like a cooling tin is loose somewhere, but I've felt and checked all of 'em. I'll post something, either a sound or a video as soon as I can. I have to find a place to host it, as my web server seems to be sucking lately.

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

might check for the balance shaft off 1 tooth. somehow, that happens.

[bryanthompson]

that sounds sickeningly possible. How noticeable would it be? From the descriptions I've heard of balance shafts being out, it happens up at a way higher RPM than I'm having... I really hope that's the problem, though, becuase it's an easy one to fix.

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

i messed mine up although i was careful, but i did install the belt in an illegal fashion, pried it on with a screwdriver while turning crank nut. it vibrated a lot at lower rpm, and i did not rev it up because something was obviously wrong. sometimes racers dont use the balance shafts because high rpms do not need the balance. the system is used to reduce low rpm vibration. it will run, but the vibes are somewhat "noticeable", somewhat like a crossed ignition wire of the worst order.

see if the marks line up. mine were obviously one tooth off. this has happened to several guys here on this project, so welcome to the club.

[bryanthompson]

yes, that sounds exactly like what i'm getting! I'm going to go check asap. thanks!

[bryanthompson]

I got in there to check the balance shaft alignment this afternoon. I removed it a second time to make sure I didn't have it 180 out, and it was good. For sure.

With the engine to TDC, cam gear lines up perfect, top balance shaft, perfect, lower balance shaft... not so perfect. Looking straight at it, the mark looks to be just a little left of the intended mark. (pic)


This is that pulley, shifted one tooth in the other direction, trying to correct it:


so... Should I go with the before or after? The before looks closer to me, but it's worth asking. There is no slack in the belt between the upper balance and the crank, and no slack between the crank and the lower balance.

[bryanthompson]

for kicks I totally removed the belt and put it back on. I don't know what I was hoping for, but it turned out exactly the same.

Which should I go with?

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

i am not sure cause it has been so long, but what i did was remove the nut, slip the belt off, turn the pulley, and slip the belt back on (illegally, with a screwdriver) and put the nut back on.

i have quite a bit ogf mechanical bravery and foolishness, so sometimes i don't do things "by the book"

when you start it in the correct alignment, you will know immediately, it will be smooth beyond belief.

[bryanthompson]

I was able to remove the balance idler roller, loosen the tensioner, and get enough slack from the other side to allow me to push the belt up above the balance roller, so I could turn that roller and set the belt back onto it. Well, that was the first time when I was checking.

I probably won't be able to mess with it until Saturday, though. When I do, I'll give both positions a try and see what happens.

[bryanthompson]

Good news!!! Dizzy arrived yesterday, so I tried the balance shaft alignment one tooth ahead of where it was and fired it up. Runs perfectly again! WOOHOO!!!!!!

Now I just need to re-route the big cable from alternator to starter, because I really don't like where it's positioned. Looks like it could get too hot. But other than that, everything's good.

Thanks for everybody's help. This has been quite an adventure

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

i am not sure cause it has been so long, but what i did was remove the nut, slip the belt off, turn the pulley, and slip the belt back on (illegally, with a screwdriver) and put the nut back on.

i have quite a bit ogf mechanical bravery and foolishness, so sometimes i don't do things "by the book"

when you start it in the correct alignment, you will know immediately, it will be smooth beyond belief.