Has anyone removed their balance shafts in their engines?? If so, has the removal helped with fuel mileage ? I would think that less rotating mass and drag on the timing chain could help, but I would like definitive reviews if possible. My BS is making noise at idle to 2k RPM's then quits down from there. If I snap the RPM's at 1800k I can hear the stupid thing knock. I am pretty positive its the balance shaft because a probe listen at the EGR valve bolt is the loudest point of the knock.

 

When we dropped a newer block in my buddys older truck we left the shaft out cause his tbi intake wouldn't fit with it. It doesn't help the mileage at all and just there to help dampen the 4.3s crappy vibe problems. If there's nothing wrong with it imho just leave it.

 

I had one knock & make noise for 90,000 miles. I sold it a several months ago & it is still knocking I heard it the other day.

 

Thats funny! I figured out how to fix the knock, just turn the radio up.. lol

 

Better to simply fix the bearings for it. They have rollers on one end and a cam bearing on the other end.

 

Does anyone have any pictures of a balance shaft & where exactly it is located? I have never seen one of these 4.3 apart. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Thanks

 

Does anyone have any pictures of a balance shaft & where exactly it is located? I have never seen one of these 4.3 apart. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Thanks

 

Its under the intake manifold in the lifter valley. Its directly connected to the cam via gears.





Why the timing cover has the weird step at the top vs taking a normal 90 degree cover

Balance shaft cover


Normal cover