Balancing a 6.9 rotating assembly

[Frstdiesel]

Since the diesels operate at lower rpm than gas engines, is it worthwhile to have one balanced?

 

[Thewespaul]

Yes.

 

[Macrobb]

If you are just assembling with off-the-shelf parts, it should be balanced 'well enough'. A real balance job will make it smoother, though.

 

[hesutton]

Made a very noticeable difference in my 6.9. May not run high RPM, but the rotating parts are heavy, exacerbating an imbalance that might be present.

Heath

 

[Chemgrad]

How much does it cost to have a rotating assembly balanced. I have a 7.3 idi that I got out of an S1600 that I'm planning on building and like to know ahead of time just how much couch time I'm going to get

 

[Frstdiesel]

At my local machine shop for my 6.9, I was quoted $250-275

 

[Knuckledragger]

I think I paid $250 eight years ago, it is worth every penny. It is so smooth, you only know it is a diesel because of the noise.

 

[Frstdiesel]

Wow that's good to know that it is still a reasonably priced procedure. Sounds like it would be a no brainer especially since the engine is completely disassembled.
Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Knuckledragger]

Do not forget to bring the flywheel and harmonic balancer. Everything that moves down below needs attention.

 

[Frstdiesel]

Yep I got it cleaned up and ready to go. Rod bearings too.
Do you think they need the pressure plate and clutch disk?

 

[Thewespaul]

No that part is neutrally balanced

 

[79jasper]

Wouldn't hurt. Why go through the trouble of doing the rest and leave those out? Especially with how many we've seen be way out of balance or even drilled off center.

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[Thewespaul]

Well it would hurt, what happens if you balance an engine to the spec of one clutch then you have to change the clutch 150k miles later?

 

[nostrokes]

Balancing the clutch and pressure plate is basically worthless. The clutch and pressure plate will never bee in the same spot as they are when it's balanced. That's the whole idea behind balancing in the first place. Everything needs to stay in the same spot as it is when it's balanced.

 

[79jasper]

Because they can't be balanced separately. Sure, makes sense.
I don't know about you, but I don't just go around replacing pressure plates. Lol
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