- Your new quarter-damped (i.e. counterbalanced) crankshaft weighs approximately 10 to 11 pounds more than the original un-damped crankshaft. While you may leave the original flywheel as is, we strongly recommend that you remove 20 pounds from the outside diameter of the flywheel of the engine receiving the new crankshaft. This will keep the assembly weight constant, while removing some of the over-damped characteristics from cylinders 3 and 4. Of course, after lathe-turning the flywheel and installation of the V-8 clutch, it will require professional dynamic balancing.
- It is crucial that matched rods, pistons, and wrist pins each be weighed-off so that each assembly matches the next to within 1 gram. Failure to observe this requirement will destroy much of what you have gained by installing the new crankshaft.
- Those desiring to install the new insert bearings in their Model A engine should use the special bearings supplied by Antique Engine Rebuilding in Skokie, Il for this purpose. They are sized correctly for the Burlington Crankshaft, other types are not. antiqueenginerebuilding.com
- Front and rear motor-mounts should be new, or newly restored. We do not recommend “float-a-motor” type mounts. Poor engine mounts or misalignment can cause excessive vibration.
- Distributor shaft should not have out-of-spec play, and timing needs to be correct.
- Ignition coil and condenser should be new, or at full performance level.
- If your carburetor is not yeilding at least 18 miles per gallon, then your engine is poluting, running rough, and probably overheating. The carburetor should be rebuilt, or more likely, tuned for unleaded ethanol-blended gasoline. To set-up the Zenith carburetor for unleaded gas, fill the main and CAP jet orifices with hobby or jeweler-type silver solder. Then drill the main jet with a #66 drill, and the CAP jet with a #65 drill – accurately please with proper centering and set-up. Compensator jet should be #63. The external fuel bowl vent should be bushed and drilled for a #29 drill. Manual choke rod mixture adjustment should be used as follows:
- Open 1/2 turn to start cold engine
- Turn down 1/4 turn to run (cruise) normal driving
- Close mixture to run slowly in town or in parade
- Open 1/2 turn to climb steep hill in 2nd gear
Burlington CrankshaftKeeping your "A" on the road