Balancing the M20 engine ~ worth it?

[Chas in Detroit]

Is it worth it? I was told the inline 6 does not benifit much.........Not a racing engine but I want a smooth running engine for the street. 1988 super eta

If done, do they need "bob" weights? Could the crank be done on its own?

Thanks, Chuck

[RangerGress]

I wouldn't bother to do a dynamic balance. It won't affect how "smooth" the motor runs.

Dynamic balancing is mostly about bearing life. If everything from clutch to piston has been dynamically balanced it reduces the load on the crank's bearings.

That being said, I'd certainly make an effort to ensure that your rods, pistons, and wrist pins weigh about the same. That is to say "statically balanced".

In a couple weeks my primary motor will be ready to swap in. It's the first motor I've had dynamically balanced. Most of the motors in our class are high mileage motors that are nothing special.