The extra mile: little tricks you do when building a motor

[akadeutsch]

Would it help to polish my crank? I would think that it would hold on to less oil if it were polished. I have a long time before I can afford to put this thing back together so I am looking for every little thing that I can do to gain power.

[SilverXJ]

Yes it would help remove oil from the crank shaft. Just be careful not to nick the journals. Wrap the in several layers of ductape. You will have to have it re balanced afterwards though.

[akadeutsch]

I think that I would just stay an inch or so away from the journals...better to wrap them just in case i suppose. I wonder how much to balance a crank. I found my wifes stash while doing laundry tonight. A shiny new looking crank my be next on the list. But my crank is already pretty light. after being ground so damn many times it will be .030 under on the rods and mains and only weights 43.5 pounds. Can I take too much off the crank? and when should I stop?