He'* positive it'* not...but now he'* making calls to confirm his $50 will be safe. I think I'm gonna take the bet.

You're referring to the balance shaft? If so, you have aligned it correctly, I would rule that out. Besides, it doesn't add a lot of vibration to an idling motor if it'* disconnected. In order for it to add implitude to the vibrations it would have to be aligned perfectly wrong...it is not.

You haven't mentioned the harmonic balancer, except I think you said it'* the original. There is some balance weights in there. I trashed mine enough that the outer hub was rotating back and forth against the pins inside that are used as radial stops. Something to think about.

I don't remember the instalation details but I have 2 thoughts; If you have doubts about it'* alignment you can check without completely removing the engine. Seperate the torque from the flexplate, seperate the transaxle from the engine, remove the torque axis mounting bolt and then hoist the engine up and forward 4 inches. You should have enough room to remove the flexplate and chach particulars without having to disconnect everything from the engine (wiring, cables, hoses, etc).

You should also check to see if one of the weights has come off the flexplate, I've heard of that before.

In my opinion, take that for what'* it'* worth, a bent crank would be the least likely problem. If your crank was bent you'd have a much more obvious problem that would likely have destroyed the engine already.

It sure looks to me like you have a rotating balance problem that is far from the centerline of the crankshaft, given it'* amplitude and frequency.

Hope you find a simple solution.

Cheers,

Paul...We are on the exact same page.

I know you said it ran smooth & you pulled one wire off at a time to check cylinders, but, do you think there'* any chance it'* cross wired? Sometimes even bad suggestions like this one can cause you to think of something to get you on the right track. I thought perhaps the two cylinders that might be crossed are still close enough in firing sequence to allow for relatively smooth idle.
Jim

Jim..beyond 100% positive. This is a balance issue. It'* either the harmonic..which seems odd to me or the flywheel. The flywheel...gave me a gut feeling when I put it on and I said "can only go one way" and moved on.

I will know very soon.

Double checked with Ed Morad on the piston weight. The L67 S2 piston never changed and can't be the issue.

The level of support over what I hope is a flywheel impossibility is amazing. Thank you all very very very very much for all the suggestions etc. I will report back soon as I know what is going on..you'll know.

UPDATE: Flywheel was 180 degrees off. Flywheel has been taken off, spun around, bolted back on, and engine is going back in. Will post with updates later.

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what I hoped to hear!

He means that he'll be back after laying twins all around the east coast.

and $50 richer .

good to hear dogger