I am building a Gen. V 454, which is an external balanced engine. If I get a forged steel crank for internal balanced Big Block engine, would it work?

I would have to replace my flywheel and I need to get a new harmonic balancer anyway, so why not go with internally balanced parts?

Is there any advantage of having the engine internally balanced over the external balance?


Bill

http://home.earthlink.net/~bigdogvettes/index.html

External balance is done due to space limitation in the engine. The small block 350 was internal balance, the small block 400 was external balance. With the longer stroke of the 400, there was not room inside the engine to properly balance it.
Balancing requires counter weights to supply enough weight, and drilling into those weights to remove metal to do precise balance.
How much power are you going for? Without drilling, the external balance crank can be stronger. There is your advantage. There is no real disadvantage to external balance except the ballance wheel and flywheel must match the crank. You can't mix and match. With the internal balance crank you can, so the combinations are greater. If you build and match the engine and don't plan on making a later modifications there is no reason to worry about the extra options.
Steel cranks are stronger, so the drilling may not matter. How much horsepower is the crank rated for, and how much horsepower are you building in?
Keep in mind, some performance crankshafts require different connecting rods. Don't forget to check this out when making your decision.
Hope this helps.

Ken Styer

Thanks!

That makes sense. I guess my concern is that the Gen V Big Blocks were externally balanced from the factory was the first generation that had the one piece oil seal, will this have any influence on the type of crank I could use?

Also, if the engine were externally balanced, and for some reason I need to replace the flywheel or harmonic balancer, will I have to take the block back to the machine shop for a rebalance?

Bill

http://home.earthlink.net/~bigdogvettes/index.html

|UPDATED|12/29/2003 3:48:06 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Either oil seal will work. No, you don't have to take the crank back. It should have specs for correct balance wheel and flywheel.
Let me know which way you decide to go.

Ken Styer

Thanks!

I am really leaning towards an internally balanced forged steel crank.

Bill

http://home.earthlink.net/~bigdogvettes/index.html