Engine Balancing

I'm in the process of building a new 2110 T1, and will be sending parts to Jake Raby for balancing.

In a recent thread, John from Aircooled.net mentioned a crankshaft damper - I'm thinking about ordering one of these.
Was wondering if anyone else has used one.

Thanks

Dave

Dave,

Before you do, check over at the ShopTalkForum, under the "drag racing" and "forced induction" headings. They have had long discussions about this and you'll gain a ton of insight/info. You ought to check in at The Shrine as well. If it's the Gene Berg one that you're considering, go right to their site and email your questions directly.

They're very good and very honest. I was talked out of buying one of their cams recently . . . go figure . . .

Luck,

TC

>You seem to have the ear of one of the best around, maybe ask Mr. Raby what he thinks as well. Gather up all the info , shake well, sift , and see what you've got. I WISH that I had the money to ask your kind of questions/make your kind of decisions< :)

I have discontinued all machine and balance services for Type I engines.

We are now strictly Type IV!

Look for the remainder of my Type I parts inventory on EBAY soon!

jake, let us know when.

"I have discontinued all machine and balance services for Type I engines."

Does Dave know?!

Dave:

CB balances long blocks for a number of other builders as well as their own engine brand. They do good work and can be trusted.

Berg has a tech article on dampers versus equalizers on their site (and in their catalog). They propose that it's a real science to get the correct size/weight of a damper to match the expected twist of the crank as well as the vibrations along the length of the shaft as the power pulses are hitting it. Might be good reading for you before you buy one so you'll at least have their point of view as well.

gn

Thanks Gordon, do you remember the title of the Berg article you mentioned?

Thanks

Dave

Thanks for the tip TC, that

Dave:

Sorry, I don't, and my Berg catalog is at the Summer place.....you should be able to find it on their web site, though....

gn

There is - if you can find one - a true harmonic balancer for a type 1 VW engine. It conists of a custom hub and pulley that bolts to one of the internal gel type NHRA approved balancers.

Yes, I have one.

George, what is you opinion of Aircooled.net's crank damper?
May I ask where you bought yours?

Thanks.

Dave

I don't know anything about Aircooled's damper; the type I have is no longer available (no hubs) but you could probably have a good machine shop make a hub/adapter.

Check here:
www.balancemasters.com
They have them for Motorcycles and ultralites.
They may just have VW.

Greg B

"Fluid Dampner"

I believe this company make a "Silicone Filled" Crank Shaft Dampner for VW's.

I used to run on my NASCAR Late Model.

Originally they were designed to be utilized on Off Shore Drill Rig Pneumatic Industrial Compressors.

It seemed, when the Compressors "Load Up", the harmonic generated from the "Loading Up", was effecting the Support Pilings and weakening the Off Shore Oil Drilling Platform.

With the installation of the "Fluid Dampners", the Harmonic Problems were solved.

Jack

There's an equalizer pulley on TheSamba right now. New posting under Performance Parts.

www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=158576

Thanks Greg, Jack & George.

Checked out balancemasters - they don't offer one for VW's, did a Goggle for fluid damper and came up with tons of hits, but not sure which company you're referring to.

Went ahead and bought an Aircoolednet unit - it arrived today, and looks really well made.