Engine balancing

[Fisher]

I'm rebuilding an 85 Turbo Diesel and debating on the importance of balancing the moving parts.  Like to hear others take and experiences on this.  Don't need the added expense if I don't need it.  

New .020" OS Kolbenshmidt Pistons reworked Rods and Polished Crank.

[AdAm84]

it doesn't really add much performance to a stock rebuild. but, if you're going all out :twisted: , go for it.

[SMOKEYDUB]

well if you can cut down on the vibratioins on the engines internals it will make it last longer.

[boosted_diesel_84]

i work at a engine shop that does balancing, and on a stock diesel, its not gonna make $hit for difference, its a diesel, its gonna shake no matter what, and plus it isnt spinning fast enough for it to matter, if u were gonna try to rev it to 8000, then yea, by all means, but for what u are doing, no, and plus VW did a verry good job balancing from the factory, usually everything we see from VW is balanced w/ in 5-10 grams, GM is usually under 100 grams!! so that should say something,

[scopefrfd]

If you want, when you remove the pistons...once they're completely cleaned if re-used, no rings.  Go to a paint body shop parts store with the pistons and pins.  They'll usually let you use they're paint scale//they're super accurate.  You can check weights on the pistons and pins and move them around to balance the weights...if you really want to get accuate bring a cordless drill and a decent size drill bit and you can balance the pistons to all be exactly the same...only drill on the bottom side of the piston where the pins go into the piston.  drill a little on both sides to remove material..don't drill all the way through.  I did that on a porsche 914 engine and the pistons were all to within .01 grams of each other...with no out of pocket expenses