Well, i've been slowly building a street 454 motor for my 71 chevelle. I'm gunna keep it semi-low compression and mild performance. I've been looking at new pistons and i had to questions:
1. If i get new pistons, would i need to balance the engine or would just having the flexplate and harmonic balancer that is required be all i need?
2. I'm trying to up the compression a little to take more advantage of my cam so i decided to look at .100 dome pistons. There won't be any valve clearance issues will there? (The cam will be under .600" lift)
Thanks for your time!

You probably should balance the whole thing.

I sent my new flywheel and balancer with my complete rotating assembly when I had it done, but not my new ZOOM clutch plate and pressure plate b/c I didn't have them yet.

The shop should not remove any metal from your f/w or flexplate and balancer b/c they are generically balanced to stock so that they can be used on other stock motors.

pdq67

Ok, so, when i get the rotating assembly together, i should get it balanced? Also, what does it generally cost to get it balanced? Thanks!

It depends as usual!!

My stock detroit balance the first time was $130 back in about 2000 or so. No heavi-metal...

Probably like $200 nowadays??

Ask BillK, Gary and Mike...

pdq67

I saw 225 for internal balance,250 for external not including, heavy metal.

Around here it'll cost $175-$200 for balance plus heavy metal if needed.

I saw 225 for internal balance,250 for external not including, heavy metal.

We have no itemized "price sheet" over here, but I would say just to do the crank the prices here look very fair. Most aftermarket parts now don't really require any correction. Years ago with "factory" components, add'l time was needed. In other words, the aftermarket pistons and conn. rods are the same weight's, so there's no add'l time getting all the components equal. However, H.M. units are in an entirely different category. Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. On rare occasions we get much higher numbers included into the "build" price due to add'l work required. We just did a "Nailhead" Buick that needed 300+ grams removed from each end of the crank, for this there was much more time involved, therefore higher charges.