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balance is always a must. blueprint is not a must.

 

I wouldn't say balance is a must. The factory balance on these motors isn't bad, but a good balance job is certainly a plus.

This is from a post I made here a few months back:

"Balancing and blueprinting are both processes having to do with bringing an engine as close as possible to design specs. Let's take balancing first.

When an engine is built, yes it is balanced from the factory...but only close enough, not precisely. I'll simplify this drastically: To balance an engine, a machine shop will weigh all components separately, rods, pistons, crank, flywheel and balancer, and then machine material off to bring them all to the same exact weight.

It's a somewhat complicated process requiring special equipment, which differs slightly between engine types (V or inline configuration.)

Now on to Blueprinting: When an engine is designed, blueprints are made detailing machining specifications. These specs have certain acceptable tolerances, or an allowable range that the finished product can fall into. As tools dull and things shift a bit on the assembly line, the finished tolerances can change a bit. As long as these changes all fall within spec, the part can be used and goes into the engine. Ford had always been very good about keeping things very close to design specs, but there is always room for improvement. If they took the time to make every part of every engine absolutely perfect, production costs would be so high none of us could afford to buy one!

So, an engine builder/machinist can afford to take that time to go over each part and bring it back to Blueprint design specs. This, in a nutshell, is Blueprinting. It's a process that can eke out a few extra HP as well as improving the engine's life expectancy."

As for peening the rods, it can help strengthen them a bit but isn't really a necessity in mild street motor. If they'll do it cheaply, it sure can't hurt.

 

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