Integrale Balance Belt

[gilbo]

How many of you Integrale guys leave your balance belt in place? I'm on my 3rd Evo now and have always left it in place but I'm just about to do the belts on my new steed and I've been told by a few people now to not bother putting a new balance belt on and to just leave the balance shafts unconnected in the block.
Just wondered how many of you actually do this and if there is any noticeable difference in the 'smoothness' of the way it runs. If I'm honest I'm not a fan of them and would rather leave it off.

[Evo141n]

AFAIK there is no differance. though you to have to get them locked off rather than just leaving the belts off.

[WayneWRC]

I still have mine, though in fairness I've never drive one with the shafts locked out...

[sunbeam alpine]

I've got an Alfa 155 Q4 (same engine I believe) - and the belt for the balance shafts was included in the cam belt kit.

[Evoluzione]

I always say that if they are there you might as well run them, no real reason not to on your average engine - well ok, a bit cheaper and simpler to do the job.
The only time I wouldn't is on a new build where you might as well bin them (the centre bearing they run in wears and is NLA) or when running a wider cambelt in which case you can't fit the balancer belt anyhow.

Some people say they notice, some don't.
I don't, if there is any vibration it's not transmitted through the floppy rubber engine mounts anyhow.

[tomsnelling]

Ive not run balance belts in my Fiat Coupe for years, which has the same engine. You can lock the balance shaft closest to the alternator by turning the pulley round and adjusting the washers.