balance shaft????

krome · 06-20-2007, 09:11 PM

I just pulled a '97 vortec V6 from a chevy truck. And it has a balance shaft. Can you still use an edelbrock 4bbl. intake? Is there enough clearance for the shaft underneath? Has anyone used one in this application? Im hoping to find out before I rebuild it. Also can a marine intake be used on this motor?

75K30 · 06-20-2007, 10:39 PM

All 96 vortecs and later used a balance shaft, and a crank sensor, and will require it. The deeper center section of the Edelbrock intake, and the Holley intake will hit the shaft.
Why are you taking the injection off? You want to use a heavy marine intake? Why?
You are up to something, and it may not be all that bad, but you mat also be going in the wrong direction. You are trying to use older technology that has already been engineered into the engine you already own. Does not make sense to go backwards.
I would assume most are looking for more power, and if you are like most, it is easily obtainable without wasting money on carb. technology.
You already have the desireable set-up. Some may argue that the plastic intake of the later model vortec is not as desireable, but it does make more power, and is lighter, right out of the box.
The heads from the later model 6 popper is where the money is.
Is this going to go into a 97? Maybe you have an older V6, and you just bought this later model one?
Let us know what you are trying to do, and then we can help you a little more.

krome · 06-21-2007, 03:02 PM

I had posted before about putting this motor in a swamp buggy project. I understand that Im going backwards in technology. But I want to put a 4bbl intake and carb,HEI vacume advance distributor on this motor. Hooked to TH350/NP205 setup. But I did not realize the balancing bar deal. I talked to the Edelbrock people today. And they said it should fit but I may have to grind the bottom of the manifold to clear. I was also told today that they make a marine manifold for this balance bar application. I know cast iron stinks but it seems I dont have many options. Should have bought a pre-96 motor. Any help would be usefull

75K30 · 06-21-2007, 04:41 PM

Alright, it is making sense now, and I do remeber you, and your application. Too bad edelbrock told you to grind, and did not tell you how much to machine. That is still a cast aluminum intake, and it gets quite thin at the bottom of the plenum where you need to remove material. Cast aluminum can crack if it gets too thin. I would go with the marine intake, you are right it will clear the balance bar.
Not too late, you have the good parts now, the hot set-up is a pre 96 engine, with later model heads. Then you can use the aluminum intake, and get all of the benifits of it, and still make good power.

krome · 06-21-2007, 07:36 PM

Thanks for the info. I saw a picture of the bottom of an Edelbrock intake. It appears there is nothing hanging down below the block mating surface. I measured the balance shaft at its highest point. In relation to the block mating surface. And there is 3/4's of an inch clearance. So my guess is that it would clear.

mrjohnwayne · 06-21-2007, 08:44 PM

You know now that I think of it. My bros 96 vortec he took the FI off and put a GM performance parts high rise on. He did not have any problems with it.

krome · 06-27-2007, 08:38 PM

Thank you for the help. I have one more question for this motor. Did GM make a V6 HEI distributor w/vac. advance? If so what would I find one in? And can you use a V8 HEI distributor and replace the cap and mabey some parts inside. I have a few junkyards near me and I love to go "junkin" after work. And a the distributor is one of my last pieces to find.

06-20-2007, 09:11 PM	#1
krome Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7	balance shaft???? I just pulled a '97 vortec V6 from a chevy truck. And it has a balance shaft. Can you still use an edelbrock 4bbl. intake? Is there enough clearance for the shaft underneath? Has anyone used one in this application? Im hoping to find out before I rebuild it. Also can a marine intake be used on this motor?

06-21-2007, 08:44 PM	#6
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,221	You know now that I think of it. My bros 96 vortec he took the FI off and put a GM performance parts high rise on. He did not have any problems with it. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

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06-20-2007, 10:39 PM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,636	All 96 vortecs and later used a balance shaft, and a crank sensor, and will require it. The deeper center section of the Edelbrock intake, and the Holley intake will hit the shaft. Why are you taking the injection off? You want to use a heavy marine intake? Why? You are up to something, and it may not be all that bad, but you mat also be going in the wrong direction. You are trying to use older technology that has already been engineered into the engine you already own. Does not make sense to go backwards. I would assume most are looking for more power, and if you are like most, it is easily obtainable without wasting money on carb. technology. You already have the desireable set-up. Some may argue that the plastic intake of the later model vortec is not as desireable, but it does make more power, and is lighter, right out of the box. The heads from the later model 6 popper is where the money is. Is this going to go into a 97? Maybe you have an older V6, and you just bought this later model one? Let us know what you are trying to do, and then we can help you a little more.

06-21-2007, 03:02 PM	#3
krome Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7	I had posted before about putting this motor in a swamp buggy project. I understand that Im going backwards in technology. But I want to put a 4bbl intake and carb,HEI vacume advance distributor on this motor. Hooked to TH350/NP205 setup. But I did not realize the balancing bar deal. I talked to the Edelbrock people today. And they said it should fit but I may have to grind the bottom of the manifold to clear. I was also told today that they make a marine manifold for this balance bar application. I know cast iron stinks but it seems I dont have many options. Should have bought a pre-96 motor. Any help would be usefull

06-21-2007, 04:41 PM	#4
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,636	Alright, it is making sense now, and I do remeber you, and your application. Too bad edelbrock told you to grind, and did not tell you how much to machine. That is still a cast aluminum intake, and it gets quite thin at the bottom of the plenum where you need to remove material. Cast aluminum can crack if it gets too thin. I would go with the marine intake, you are right it will clear the balance bar. Not too late, you have the good parts now, the hot set-up is a pre 96 engine, with later model heads. Then you can use the aluminum intake, and get all of the benifits of it, and still make good power.

06-21-2007, 07:36 PM	#5
krome Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7	Thanks for the info. I saw a picture of the bottom of an Edelbrock intake. It appears there is nothing hanging down below the block mating surface. I measured the balance shaft at its highest point. In relation to the block mating surface. And there is 3/4's of an inch clearance. So my guess is that it would clear.

06-27-2007, 08:38 PM	#7
krome Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7	Thank you for the help. I have one more question for this motor. Did GM make a V6 HEI distributor w/vac. advance? If so what would I find one in? And can you use a V8 HEI distributor and replace the cap and mabey some parts inside. I have a few junkyards near me and I love to go "junkin" after work. And a the distributor is one of my last pieces to find.