428 Balancing
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428 Balancing
Since the 428 is externally ballanced how should i go about doing this.
1. Should i just take it to a machine shop and have it internally balanced using a 390 flexplate for my C6.
2. Should i get a 428 flywheel from checker auto for $28.88 part# 04388, or Auto Zone for $104.99 part# FRA-224 the first one sounds kind of cheap for a 428 part and still get it balanced at a shop for good measure.
Im guessing to get it internally balanced will be some $$$.
How does this process work and what are the pros and cons of the two?
Thanks
1. Should i just take it to a machine shop and have it internally balanced using a 390 flexplate for my C6.
2. Should i get a 428 flywheel from checker auto for $28.88 part# 04388, or Auto Zone for $104.99 part# FRA-224 the first one sounds kind of cheap for a 428 part and still get it balanced at a shop for good measure.
Im guessing to get it internally balanced will be some $$$.
How does this process work and what are the pros and cons of the two?
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Newbury Park Ca.
To change to internal the balance shop adds heavy metal to the counter weights by drilling out the existing material and welding in the heavy metal, but that mallory is EXPENSIVE stuff. Then of course the external componants are neutral balanced. The advantage is moving the "external" weight inside the mains to the crankshaft, where it is better supported than if it is hanging off the ends of the crank. What kind of Rs are you expecting to turn? Unless this thing is going all out, you are probably OK with the external weights. If you are planing all out competition, spend the bucks and go internal....Big block Chevys are both ways, 427 internal, 454 external, and very few mild build ups go to the expense of changing it. Our 468 PS boat turns 7850 for 5 miles of racing with an external balance, no problems......Now 8000+ could be a different story........aMP
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OK thank for the explanation. I figured that the internal balance was going to be some $$ because of all the work involved. But These flywheel are hard to find i found one at Autozone, and Checker auto. I looked every where on the internet and couldnt find squat but i just look in a local parts store and bam there it is right under my nose. You would still recomend after i get the 428 flywheel send it out to get the balancing checked.
thanks
thanks
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: CT
Is your tranny a automatic or standard?? A flexplate is for the automatic and the flywheel a standard. If your pricing both flywheels and flexplates that's why your seeing a difference in price. You can buy either still. You can even use a neutral balanced flywheel and have it external balanced. The new steel flywheels come with a bolt on balance pad for external balance. I'm not familer with flexplates but I'm pretty sure you can still buy them for either external or neutral balance. Or possibly have the exsisting flexplate balanced? Hopefully someone can clear that up as I'd kinda like to know also.
G.
G.
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From: North Carolina
Just my 2 cents, but I had this same question when I built mine. After talking to my machine shop he recommended doing it internal. One advantage to this is if you ever have to replace the flywheel or flexplate you can use a standard 390 one, which are usually much cheaper. It does cost more, but it was only about 75 more dollars, which I would have spent on buying a new 428 flexplate. It is more stable also.( so I was told)
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: "Islander"
Smooth on the outside shaking on the inside, if that's ok with you
go external, hell good enough for a chebbie but then you would be on the wrong forum with orange.
If you want an smooth motor that will last 2-300K plus miles with the same bearings go internal. Maybe later you'll go stick to auto or the opposite, sure is handy just swaping a zero balance flex or flywheel.
go external, hell good enough for a chebbie but then you would be on the wrong forum with orange.
If you want an smooth motor that will last 2-300K plus miles with the same bearings go internal. Maybe later you'll go stick to auto or the opposite, sure is handy just swaping a zero balance flex or flywheel.
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I called a shop and they said that they would need every part in the rotating assembly. They would match all of the pistons, them balance the crank and flywheel and balalcer as one peice. that sounds like external balancing to me right. Because internal would be nice because if i ever decide to switch my flywheel or balancer all i would have to do if find parts from a 360, or 390 and it would all work together.
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Post Fiend
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From: "Islander"
The crank grinder/balance shop should balance each item separately them assemble, recheck balance if they're a good shop.
Don't assume you can buy a new damper, flywheel or flexplate and think your good to go, from Ford's factory many FE's were cobby shakers.
They were within spec what ever that is (within an ounce?).
As far as new flexplates i've seen those egg shaped new POS units, old used or NOS is far better in quality and quality control as far as being round and of thicker gauge.
Don't assume you can buy a new damper, flywheel or flexplate and think your good to go, from Ford's factory many FE's were cobby shakers.
They were within spec what ever that is (within an ounce?).
As far as new flexplates i've seen those egg shaped new POS units, old used or NOS is far better in quality and quality control as far as being round and of thicker gauge.
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Post Fiend
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From: "Islander"
If you go internal balanced who cares and run a 390 plate, if you go external
grind off the counterweight and reweld it to a 390 plate. There are two different length weights, don't mix 'em up, be sure to index it first then weld. I have saved a few plates that my custom tranny friend said are in better condition than this new cheap crap that's out there.
I dressed the teeth with a dremel all 184 of 'em. Time is cheap, rewards are quality parts.
grind off the counterweight and reweld it to a 390 plate. There are two different length weights, don't mix 'em up, be sure to index it first then weld. I have saved a few plates that my custom tranny friend said are in better condition than this new cheap crap that's out there.
I dressed the teeth with a dremel all 184 of 'em. Time is cheap, rewards are quality parts.
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Well see heres the thing my dad picked up this motor having very low miles prabley 20 years ago and put it in his Highboy. The origional flywheel it had was from an auto trans so my dad cut the weight off of the flex plate and welded it to his manual trans flywheel. When the motor ran it had no vibrations to speek of. He put very little miles on this truck and it ended up busting 4 pistons the skirts fell off, and ring lands busted causing it to loose compression in 4 cyclinders. Hey it still had some ***** running on 4 cyclinders.
Idont want to make the same mistake after dropping a lot of $$$$ worth of parts into it.
Idont want to make the same mistake after dropping a lot of $$$$ worth of parts into it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
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It is my understanding that the 428 has different crank snout that has a weight cast into it that solves the external portion of the balancing issue. Unfortunatley, my did not have one so the machine shop took material out of my flywheel to compensate for the missing snout. Motor has about 50K on it now and runs smooth. I don't wind it over 6000 tho.
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: CT
Originally Posted by four4x4fords
It is my understanding that the 428 has different crank snout that has a weight cast into it that solves the external portion of the balancing issue. Unfortunatley, my did not have one so the machine shop took material out of my flywheel to compensate for the missing snout. Motor has about 50K on it now and runs smooth. I don't wind it over 6000 tho.
G.
Needsmorecoffee.
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From: CT
Originally Posted by RapidRuss
Damn G, I still dont see those TP heads and that Genessis Block in your Gallery yet??
RJ
RJ
G.
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