Lets discuss harmonics!

Specificaly harmonic waves in the motor.

what causes them and whats the best way to reduce them?

I hear cast cranks can absorb them better since they are softer which makes sence but to what degree. DC uses dampened iron on pass cars to absorb harmonics but it barely makes a differance... if any

Also harmonic balancers-
how do they work, and what is best. I understand certain types of balancers work best for given RPM ranges- but what are they and why.

You would think that one would just outperfom anohter through all rpm ranges:confused:


Thanks-
Ken:p

"harmonic waves"??

Perhaps you mean torsional vibrations in an engine.
The only waves might be in the oilpan on a rough road. ;)

Here are a few references.

The last one has some substance.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=engine.htm&url=http://www.e31.net/engines_e.html

http://www.autoshop-online.com/auto101/eng1.html

http://members.core.com/~faldrich/harmonic.htm


http://www.thrashercharged.com/tech_htm/adv_engine_design.shtm



Reality is the other person's idea of how things should be.
-John M. Shanahan

I am not young enough to know everything.
-Oscar Wilde

a while back i was reading and someone mentioned flat cranks and that they vibrated alot, but if you fixed the vibrations hp would be lost, did i read this right?