I'm working on a 9xx series 172 cu. in. diesel and have a couple questions. It needs a balancer assembly and crankshaft. It has the "service balancer" that attaches to the center main bearing cap. Will the gears from the factory installed balancer install into the service balancer? Next questions are about the crank. Are the new aftermarket cranks good to use in the diesel applications, or should I look for a good used crank? My Ford service manual says not to turn the diesel cranks and I'm sure there is a slim chance of finding a used crank that is still standard and good to use. Or can the diesel crank in fact be turned?
Any good sources for these parts? Thanks
 
Cannot answer your balancer questions but can say unequivocally that I have had very bad experiences with aftermarket parts and would simply not consider an aftermarket crankshaft for either gasoline or diesel application.

The usual reason that manufacturers advise against grinding a crankshaft is the incorporation of rolled fillets on the bearing journals, usually the rod journals. Grinding the crankshaft removes these fillets, rendering the crankshaft significantly more susceptible to stress cracks. I would not consider grinding any crankshaft if the manufacturer advises against such practice, especially in an engine that is a well known "crankshaft breaker" such as the Ford 172 CI diesel.

Dean
 
I have an 1871 industrial that I bought in the mid 1980's with the 172 diesel. It had trans and differential issues so I swapped a 4000 industrial trans and rear section into it. It had a .010 - .010 crank and the "service balancer" when I got it. I pulled the engine down about 12-14 years ago to find the lower part of the piston skirt cracked or broken. I had a friend weld the bottom ring land where the cracks were, leaving no room for the ring to fit on the bottom of the piston. I put a set of new ring on all positions except the lower position where I had filled in with weld. The engine has given good service since then with the altered pistons and more than 30 years on the re-ground crank.
I know what the book says about grinding crankshafts and I've had good luck with some and bad luck with others.
I put a 172 diesel in a 1972 Chevy LUV once and broke 2 std. cranks that had never been ground. Yours might give good service if you grind it and it might not.
 
I have removed the worn out balancers on several 172 diesels over the years and the only thing that I can tell is that after they will vibrate about like the earlier ones with no balancers and eventually shake the fuel tank mounts to pieces. Seems to have no bad effect on the opertion/

Zane
 
My pal Kenny might have a balancer.
There was a guy last summer/fall who wanted it but I think he changed his mind.
I think the crank is long gone but I could check on that too.
Email me if you're interested and I will ask him.
 

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