Balancer cutting into case

[efizzle]

Well, I split the cases to find out what was going on with the bottom end, and I found the balancer cutting into both case halves. I can repair the cases, but my question is concerning what is causing the balancer to cut into the case in the first place. Will replacing the bearings fix the problem? If not, will turning down the balancer help with clearance?
The crank feels nice and everything else looks good. I just want to know what caused this to start happening and how to fix it properly.

 

[xjma]

Not sure what may have made the balancer cut into the case, probably loose bearings, but I wouldn't do any machining to that balancer.

 

[blaster biotch]

i second that, dont take any weight off the ballancer, it offsets the weight of the rod and ur engine sure wouldnt last long. yes beearings are ur problem, too much slop. replace

 

[efizzle]

Yeah, I don't want to throw off the harmonics by messing with the balancer, but I'm stumped at what is causing it to cut into the case in the first place. The bearings don't feel sloppy at all, and it's cutting into the same place each rotation as you can see in the pics. It's not like it's flopping around, but that would make more sense to me.

 

[efizzle]

Sorry, Mrs. Biotch, we must have been replying at the same time. I guess that I will find some new bearings and get the groove fixed on the case to see if that gets me going.

 

[blaster biotch]

ya that would be a good place to start. that IS about the only thing it could be unless the ballancer itself has warped some how but i dont think that is possible. the ballancer could be too worn at the shaft where it goes into the bearings. how did u notice it was doing this? was the engine running funny before, like too much vibration? or could u hear it or something??

 

[efizzle]

I bought the Blaster with a seized engine. After I got the top end off, I felt a drag in the bottom end, so I proceeded to investigate. Once I got the balancer gear off, I could tell the the drag was coming from the balancer, and this is what I found when I split the case.
I'm thinking through my options right now...

 

[blaster biotch]

welll i have a good case i will sell if u need it. i am lookin for a clutch and flywheel cover. case 100 shipped.

 

[blaster biotch]

was there anything else wrong with the motor? piston busted? crank jacked up??

 

[efizzle]

Yeah, the piston skirt was busted, but I jumped the gun and had the top end machined and bought the whole top end kit already. The cylinder bore was stock, and I just had it machined to 66.75. I had the head milled while they were at it.
So now, I either repair the bottom end (bearings are $8/each + the cost of machining the case), or I look for a good one on ebay and part out this bottom end. Decisions, decisions...

 

[blaster biotch]

Y WOULD U HAVE TO machine the bottom end???

 

[CWHutzell]

sounds like your bearings are bad,check and see if you can move the balancer up and down any.

 

[efizzle]

As far as machining the case, I would need to fill in the grooves from the balancer cutting and grind them smooth again.
I can't seem to moove the balancer up and down any, but I don't know anything else it can be. If the balancer is warped somehow, they are cheap enough on ebay. Either way, I think that I will pick up $16 worth of bearings to start from there.
Any tricks to getting the bearings out other than heat?

 

[CWHutzell]

im pritty sure its your bearings,theres no other way it would be hitting,unless it left the factory like that,your not gonna warp that counterbalancer,make sure when your checking it you have the cases together with the balancer in it

 

[whatif3387]

a socket and a rubber mallet

 

[CWHutzell]

as far as the bearings,the one in the left side case youll need a blind hole bearing puller,the one on the right you can just press out