Balance pipe

[Forumadmin]

To assemble the short block the balance pipe is required with O rings.
Firstly clean the pipe on a wire brush and ensure the old O rings are removed from the recesses in each block. A whizz with a die grinder and small wire brush will clean up the holes .
Secondly, put centre of pipe in the vise And squash about 1/8" oval.
This is to avoid the sharp edges of the Webb of the oval crank from cutting into the balance pipe!! Fit into crankcase angled say one o'clock to 7 o'clock. Do a trial fit in one half with crank!
Next, use metric O rings , 14.8 X 2.4x N 70. These are a much better fit that inch ones and avoid chopping O rings and leaks.
I fit them dry on the pipe, then assemble in one half, angled, master gasket on the top seam of block, and drop the two halves together carefully with the middle long stud in place, and proceed to torque up to 70 lbs/ft in say 3 or 4 stages.
Now we need to check the O rings are going to seal the pipe before going any further!
I fit the copper pipe from top of balance pipe middle to PCV valve, with it pointing up so I can get my mouth on the open end.
Then wet a finger on each hand, poke them over the outer balance pipe ends blocking them off, and suck a vacuum in the engine block pipe work.
Using your tongue block the copper pipe end , Count to 30 secs and release. You'll soon know if it's sealed OK by you're tongue and the resulting hiss!?!?!
Good luck! Neil. Ps make sure the copper pipe end is not too sharp!

[Keith Clements]

One item I forgot to add on the end of the epistle about the balance pipe and the final fit together ( hopefully for the next 20 yrs).
The tie bolts top front and top rear, actually seal an enlarged bolt hole which allows the oil to pass the bolt on its way to the front and rear main bearings. This means the only sealing is. Done by the washer!?!?, what I've been doing for a few years now is smear lightly the washer both sides with master gasket prior to final bolt up . Vic Morrison has been going one further by chamfering the hole and fitting a thin O ring in the triangle shaped recess. This however needs to be done carefully to not make the recess too big or too small!? The o ring 1/16" dia cross section needs to fill approx 80 % of the recess. Do the area maths for depth . Master gasket is safer! The centre top bolt also has the enlarged oil hole but any leaks are internal so not a problem! Neil. Here endeth the lesson