New Guy with 11hp Briggs questions.

Hello.. Very new to this, To the point. got a 11 H/P briggs out of a  riding mower with  a synchro balancer, I want to rid of the balancer and make the engine vertical, I have read about adding brass to the crank, but why can't i shave it and do the balancing that away? (Less weight, faster engine)Its a cast iron sleeve, with almost 0 wear.. my neighbor gave it to me in the mower, but not much use for it in the Arizona desert, Also can a person use a larger cam? and any thoughts on a oil pump?? Thanks and hope  i  am not asking stupid Questions.... Soupbone

[mod]Moved to it's own topic[/mod]

Hey bud, welcome to ATLTF.  Might take a few moments to check out the FAQ and new Members topics.  I moved your post out of "OFFICIAL MEMBER LOCATION THREAD [READ ME!]" and created you your own topic.

Here are a couple links to help out.

https://www.atltf.com/t5572-atltf-forum-ruleset-revised-12-17-2016

https://www.atltf.com/t1591-introduce-yourself

Thanks,

If it's the kind of counter weights that sort of hang off the crank, they are pretty heavy. They sit on like an off center circle part of the crank, and when the crank spins that's what gives them their movement. Then they are sort of help in place by a mini connecting rod looking thing usually called the "dog bone" whoch bolts them to the block. I'm pretty sure that's the part that is most likely to fail with high revving and what not and causes the whole mecanism to come apart. The dog bone can be updgraded with a stronger more reliable one. But if you're dead set on removing the whole thing, I think the crankshaft has to be re-balanced, but I'm not positive about that.

If your going for a horizontal engine , look for a kohler command 14 or similar model, as they do not have balancing weight and have a pressure lubed system.