[Tom Wesenberg]

Counterweights are to stop the crankshaft from wanting to bend (whip) due to the heavy weight off the centerline of the crankshaft. This is one of the Model A's shortfalls.

Adding counterweights doesn't mean you need to lighten the flywheel, and I don't plan to lighten mine when I add the weights I bought from Dan Price. You are right that the added weight will help dampen vibrations.

That failed babbit may have been a bad mix or poured at the wrong temp, etc.