You can damage the rear thrust bearing. Rent or buy the correct tool. 
Dennis
Harmonic Balancer
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 195
From: Putnam Valley, New York. Amateur Radio Operator K2NS
Balancer install
I assume you do not have a drilled & tapped crank. The balancer goes on until it bottoms out on the crank snout. If you're hitting it with a hammer and a block of wood, you usually can feel when it hits home.
RON
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 195
From: Putnam Valley, New York. Amateur Radio Operator K2NS
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
When you knock the balancer on with a hammer, it's easy to tell when the balancer is seated, your hammer takes on a diiferent ring to it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,632
Likes: 4,683
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
It was not until later in the 60s when cranks were drilled/tapped for a bolt. Thus, prior to that, there are only two choices, drive it on with a soft block and a heavy hammer, or, have the snout drilled/tapped.
I have never seen it done at the engine plant, but it would be interesting to know how balancers were installed prior to when the crank was drilled/tapped.
Maybe John Z (Hinkley) can tell us.
Tom Parsons
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
A pneumatic cylinder pushed against the balancer with a set of jaws that grabbed the front counterweight and pushed the balancer on.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,353
Likes: 2,726
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
As I have said before, I learn something from the forum every day. I remember being told about not too hammer a balancer on back in the '80's. I have built three SB motors and I used my K-D installation tool. Just the thought of pounding one on gives me shivers. Dennis
Dennis
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: Suburban Phila. PA
measured
tx63..
my 283,balancer/timing cover measures not quite 1' ( maybe 3/4 th's-to-7/8th's) from the cover to the back of the balancer..and the timing tab is (about) 1 1/2 " long, and my balancer is half way under it...my crank is drilled and i have a bolt in it.
hope this helps.
john.
my 283,balancer/timing cover measures not quite 1' ( maybe 3/4 th's-to-7/8th's) from the cover to the back of the balancer..and the timing tab is (about) 1 1/2 " long, and my balancer is half way under it...my crank is drilled and i have a bolt in it.
hope this helps.
john.
Last edited by john5801; Apr 8, 2011 at 01:06 PM. Reason: word
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 704
Best way is to measure from the face of the balancer to the machined surface on the front of the block. This surface includes the timing chain cover, the power steering pump bracket holes, and two holes on the lower left front of the block. The measurement I come up with is 2.937"..(2 15/16").
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 195
From: Putnam Valley, New York. Amateur Radio Operator K2NS
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 10
From: Dallas TX
Ok, thought maybe was something that I was unaware of that would allow me to press on.
While I dont feel like I whacked on it too hard, is there anything that would indicate I may have damaged the rear thrust bearing?
While I dont feel like I whacked on it too hard, is there anything that would indicate I may have damaged the rear thrust bearing?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I don't think you'll do that with a two pound hammer.
