Does a timing gear need balanced

[Sid]

I picked up an aluminum timing gear for my flathead and IMO the quality is lacking. There is a fair bit of casting flash that I want to clean up. Since it's such a light weight component I can't imagine that cleaning some of this up will cause any balancing issues with it but I just wanted to ask here first. I should be OK.... right?

Thanks,

Sid

 

[fuzz]

It will be OK......balancing the timing gear will not be an issue!

 

[Sid]

I didn't think so but this being my first engine build I wanted to check.

Sid

 

[-13-]

On race engines we've built for circle track, we usually only balance the crank & pressure plate, & clutch disk...

 

[railroad]

Not to stir things and I agree on, no need to balance, but I have been collecting a few flatheads for a project and noticed Henry balanced the pullies on the water pumps. I thought of it as overkill, but I like the attention to detail on these engines.

 

[RPM]

On race engines we've built for circle track, we usually only balance the crank & pressure plate, & clutch disk...

What about the pistons, rods and the balancer?

 

[shotupdave]

Of course the crank rod and pistons, I also include the rings if it a race engine. I only will have the dampner only done if it an external balance engine.

 

[Big Block]

The timing gear does not need to be balanced for an internally or externally balanced engine. It will not have any effect of balancing. I use to work for Beck Racing Engines in Phoenix, Arizona when going to tech school back in the 80's and I had this same question come up back then. It is a good question, but not to worry! Balance your crank, rods, pistons, rings, balancer, and flywheel.

 

[R Pope]

Not really sure why the cam gear doesn't need balancing, but the fuel pump eccentric on other engines doesn't have a counterbalance and it doesn't seem to matter.

 

[dmw56]

Not really sure why the cam gear doesn't need balancing, but the fuel pump eccentric on other engines doesn't have a counterbalance and it doesn't seem to matter.

Probably not enough rotating mass to make a difference. Most timing gears are aluminum and weight is minimal. The weight of the rest of the rotating assembly is massive, hundreds of pounds.