Balancing and blueprinting

[Patman]

If someone gets their engine rebuilt and gets the builder to balance and blueprint it, will this result in a significant reduction in engine wear in the future, or is this practice done basically just to squeeze out an extra few horsepower?

It would be interesting to see if someone took a well running engine (which didn't have any mechanical need for a rebuild that is) and had it balanced and blueprinted and then compared the before and after UOAs.

Thoughts?

(and no, I'm not thinking of spending big $$$ on getting this done just to improve my UOAs, I'm not that anal!)

 

[Scott P]

That is an interesting little question. In theory, a balanced and bluprinted engine may show reduced wear as everything is built correctly and no part is seeing extra pressure or wear. But would the increased power output increase wear in its own right? Or, would the extra use of the power (right footus weightus maximus) cause increased wear that would offset the decreased wear from the rebuild? Yes, I think I am confused too.

I still wouldn't put it past you to do this to an engine just for to see the UOA...

 

[QuadDriver]

Any time you B&B a motor you will reduce wear especially in the bearing areas. Line boring the cam and crank elimintates the minute deflection of the shaft, balancing the motor gets rid of unwanted harmonics which can also hammer bearings, re-centering the cam bore due to core walk will allow each bank in a v engine to have equal valve geometry

 

[Lost Pup]

I believe it would reduce wear somewhat but it is difficult to quantify. I would say that it reduces the rate of wear on an engine over its life.
We have installed standard both rebuilt crate motors and compared them to local B&B motors.

A local shop B&B Chevy 283 for a custom Impala was installed and it suprised us right away. The idle speed was so slow/low and smooth it was kind of exciting as the customer just kept smiling. A 2.73 rear keeps the rpm low on the interstate and MPG is 23-25 per the customer.
I stopped in for a visit to the local shop and was amazed at the level of detail they go to to B&B and engine. I don't have pics but I remember the stock crank, connecting rods before and after they detailed them, polished and lighter, really look sharp. The foreman spoke of the art of balancing with reverence and was taking grams and such. Well out of my league for sure.
I am a believer.

 

[outrun]

Patnam,

I am sure you know that if an engine was rebuilt and NOT balanced....the crank shaft motions could literraly shake the engine to death.

Correct me if this is an overdramatic representation of hypothetical events.

 

[Lost Pup]

Of course both are balanced.

I would say it is a certain level or grade of the actual "balancing & blueprinting" that takes place which separates the crate motor from the local shop B&B effort.

It appeared that the local shop took the crate motor and added a great deal of effort/time/labor to it to enhance it further from the stock "level".

I really don't know if there are any standard terms to express the type of B&B done to and engine.

Question of how does one quantify a balance/s of an engine ? What is/are the acceptable limits to it ?