I hate to complicate this issue further but I would like to propose another theory. If the flywheel is used to counterbalance the crankshaft then the weight would have to be opposite the crank weight. Since they are also on opposite ends of the crankshaft, it seems the oposing weights, as they rotate, would create a rocking back and forth in the engine. In other words, as the crank and flywheel rotate together the heavier side of the flywheel would pull the engine in one direction while the heavier side of the crank would pull the engine in the other direction thus creating the rocking or wobbling motion. This action would be worse the further apart the flywheel and crank are. I don't know this to be true, just wondering if the theory holds any water. But if it is true, it would make far more sense to balance the crank rather than use the flywheel to balance it. Anyone know?

Brian