Resolved Has anybody done balance shaft delete with leaving front shaft in?

[idkiliketurbos]

The title pretty much states it all. I have the engine out and I'm freshening up the motor and replacing gaskets and I was wondering if anybody has left the front balance shaft in the motor to block the bearings by itself, and then install the stubby shaft on the oil pump?

I saw something about it on the vfaq but I haven't been able to find anything on the forums about doing that. I have the blockoff bearings, but I am just thinking if I can leave the front shaft in with no belt hooked up to it that I could save some time/fear of screwing something up or getting shavings in the block from pounding out the old bearings. Figured I'd ask and see if that would be a viable option

 

[jrs187]

I know someone has. I know have the motor. I am not 100% sure that is what was causing the problems with nasty vibrations or if the car it was in is just a pile and did not like the owner. The motor has great oil pressure and nothing seemed to be wrong just has way to much vibration.

 

[Paul@RTM]

Yes, doing the BSE without actually removing the front balance shaft is done all the time. It's far and away the most common method when the engine is still in the vehicle. The procedure is just as you describe: the balance belt is removed from the equation (so the front shaft just sits there immobile) and the rear shaft is treated exactly as with any other BSE (that is, it's replaced with a stubby shaft or "turned down" long shaft). I used this procedure myself in two of my DSMs without issue. I know of many others that have done the same.

By the way, the procedure is mentioned in the VFAQ.

 

[idkiliketurbos]

Okay thanks. I might end up doing it this way. I have the engine out of the car, but I thought this might be easier.