I haven't taken apart the bottom end yet, so the forces me to ask the question since I'm unfamiliar with it.

Can you remove the neutral balance shafts with the engine still in the car? If so, how can you do so. I was interested in possibly upgrading the valvetrain with Ferrea parts, and adding some neutral balance shafts from the GMPP catalog to permit 8,000 rpms. Thanks ahead of time guys.

 

Yes you can, if you drop them motor mount and set the engine down on the frame(just remove the motor mount on passengerside,) you get into the timing case where the neutral shafts are localted

 

Sweet deal. That doesn't seem too hard. Are they timed with the chain or anything? I know these questions may seem retarded, but I haven't ventured there yet so I'm not really 110% positive on how they do thier thing. I'd read the build book again for the info, but my damn goverment computer over here won't allow me to open up the files. Grrr....

 

the timing chain that goes to the cam sprockets and crank is there then behind that chain is one that goes to balance shafts and waterpump

 

yea they are timed with the chain sorry for not answering that part

but they are alot easyier to get on and time than the actual timing chain

 

Ok. That is what I was fearing. Do you have to remove the timing chain to do it or just the chaing that goes on the waterpump and balance shafts? Thanks again.

 

you would have to remove the timing chain then remove the other chain you will also have to remove the waterpump when you go to reinstall the chain (or if you feel sparky just take the gear off the waterpump and try it that way)

but you can do all this with the motor in the car

 

No, you dont need to pull the water pump or any of the gears to get the chain off. (doing so just makes it more difficult to time the shafts/chain) The GM recommended method is to pull the balance chain tensioner and guides.
Then when you reinstall it (after hanging the chain) you install the guides then just compress the tensioner and insert a small drill bit/pin or even a paper clip to hold it in the retracted position and reinstall- remove pin.
HTH
Wop

 

Thanks WOP. That's some good info for the future to reference.