externally balanced and weight issues and

[Caparco]

I'm about to have my new remanufactured engine installed again! It's 360 set originally had a 318 many engines and many years ago with a 727 torquflight transmission. Unbalanced might have been All my issues the last engine failed. It's an automatic, my mechanic (engine installer) doesn't know anything about internally and externally balanced engines unfortunately. And I've heard some talk about resurfacing flex plates. What are some facts I could pass along to him to help and make sure I get it right this time. He mentioned my flywheel is cracked and I have to replace it. I'm fine with purchasing a new one that's already weighted. If that's an option for me. Picture shows the transmission I have it going into, is this a 6 bolt or eight bolt flex plate. Weighted or unweighted? Does something else have to be weighted as well? Like the bellhousing!Any advice and tips and fax to pass on to my installer would be great thanks so much

[bdschnei]

A 360 is externally balanced so needs a weighted harmonic balancer along with a weighted torque converter. You can use a weighted flexplate instead of a weighted torque converter if you want, just don't use both, one or the other. And yes, if you transferred these parts from a 318 (internally balanced) to your 360 that would cause vibration problems.

You might want to check out this thread. It's related to what you're asking and has pictures of the weighted balancer and torque converter.

https://forum.e-bodies.org/engine-transmission-and-rear-end/4/vibration/29718/

[Caparco]

thanks so much! Great info! Pretty cut and dry I guess I will for sure use this information to get it right this time.
  My engine builder also mentioned something else about the destroyed and melted engine they remanufactured,
He said the timing was way too retarded. I know that you start off with something like 6 to 7° out but is there a certain danger threshold that I should completely avoid?
 As you could see I'm a little nervous about not getting everything right this time, I want to leave no stone unturned and then on to my job the break-in. 500 miles

Thanks again to everybody!

[Chryco Psycho]

wow , too many variables , how was the engine built?
w
What pistons were used , was it internally balanced or rebalanced , the builder should know what balancing was done & what flexpate to or converter to use , anything else is just a guess !
typically timing is best set around 14-16* at idle peaking around 36-38* at 3000 rpm