I would not balance. I have had two complete rotating assy's ruined by balancing. Do not break up a set of rods. They were balanced when installed. Different rods may weigh different but original sets ar great. I would weigh each rod on a good scale to see if the original set was broken. The smoothest engine I ever had was a stock 34 221.
Don't balance? You can't actually tell if a set of rods are 'balanced' by just throwing rods on a scale - that is not how you balance rods. You balance each end of the rod - and you have to have the right tools to do it. When you change pistons, the bob weight can change dramatically - so that is an issue as well. Then you have the flywheel and clutch -- good luck thinking you're going to find a balanced set there. Now - on a 100% stock engine, that has never been touched - you can decide to balance or not . . . your choice. I've never found a flathead engine that could 'talk to me' and explain whether he'd been modified or not. From the looks of taking countless ones aparts - every one has story. LOL Me - after spending thousands of dollars on machine work and parts - be happy to spend a couple hundred more to ensure the whole rotating assembly is in perfect balance and knows how to work together. If you have a shop that has ruined your rotating assembly (on any engine - cause the process is pretty much the same on ALL of them), then you're going to the WRONG machine shop. Lot of ways to skin the Flathead Cat - to each his own cat! LOL D
Yup, I'm figuring I'll have $8K plus in mine before I turn the key, too. Did they use J&M Machine, or someone else?
Good luck with Mac's. Since Eklers bought them. The customer service and getting the correct parts is hit or miss. Used them for years, now hesitate unless no other choice.
I try and use Baxter Ford in Kansas.They are friendly, knowledgable,and usually have what I need in stock. They are also FAIR and that is important to me. Flatheads Forever!
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