Panic:
Inline six counterwieghts are there to reduce crank bending loads and bearing loads. I don't know but suspect this is the reason GM changed form 6 to 12 weight cranks for 250/292 engines. Weights opposite each crankpin should result in less crankshaft bending and lower bearing loads.
As to how much, I expect that is a compromise of cost, manufacturability, crank fatigue durability, and bearing life.
As mentioned above, removing counterweight proportional to reduced recip mass is probably a safe bet.
Last edited by strokersix; 04/13/10 08:59 AM.
