Balance Question(s)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 552
From: St. Louis MO
2020 Corvette of the Year (appearance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
CI 4-5-7-9-10-11 Car Show Winner
CI 2-3-4-5-6-7-9-10-11 Vet
Balance Question(s)
I'm currently working on my '65 El Camino which has a fresh 327 (.0030) over and lots of good parts) suppose to be built to 350HP specs. I also have original 327/365 engine that goes with my '65 Vette.
The El Camino has a small 6" pressed-on balancer and the Vette has larger bolted on balancer. (see photos below) El Camino 327 crank is not tapped for bolt.
Question 1: Can the larger balancer be used WITHOUT being bolted? If so other then timing tab what else do I need?
Question 2: Will it make a real difference for just normal street/cruising driving?
Question 3: El Camino does NOT have space behind balancer, what is the thickness of the spacer?
I know its really a damper but old habits are hard to break.
Thanks
George
The El Camino has a small 6" pressed-on balancer and the Vette has larger bolted on balancer. (see photos below) El Camino 327 crank is not tapped for bolt.
Question 1: Can the larger balancer be used WITHOUT being bolted? If so other then timing tab what else do I need?
Question 2: Will it make a real difference for just normal street/cruising driving?
Question 3: El Camino does NOT have space behind balancer, what is the thickness of the spacer?
I know its really a damper but old habits are hard to break.
Thanks
George
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'd probably drill and tap the crank for safety, but leave the balancer on it. If it was professionally balanced, it was done with the balancer and the flywheel as well. Why mess with it? 
That being said, yes you can just press on the bigger unit, I've done it a few times with no problems ever. You just need a new pointer and you can buy one that mounts to the timing cover bolts, and cut the old one off if you don't want to change covers. Change the seal though!
That being said, yes you can just press on the bigger unit, I've done it a few times with no problems ever. You just need a new pointer and you can buy one that mounts to the timing cover bolts, and cut the old one off if you don't want to change covers. Change the seal though!
Last edited by Kerrmudgeon; Feb 28, 2012 at 05:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 552
From: St. Louis MO
2020 Corvette of the Year (appearance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
CI 4-5-7-9-10-11 Car Show Winner
CI 2-3-4-5-6-7-9-10-11 Vet
Thanks for the info --- I decide soon what to do
George
George
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 147
From: dalton ma
Q2. Either balancer will work. Bigger balancer will VERY slightly make getting going easier (like adding a couple pounds to the flywheel) if you have an engine with low torque at low revs.
Q2. Not positive but somewhere near 1/8", same thickness as a C1 front motor mount. Used to get the crank and WP pullys lined up. Bob
Q2. Not positive but somewhere near 1/8", same thickness as a C1 front motor mount. Used to get the crank and WP pullys lined up. Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,425
Likes: 1,220
From: Glen Allen VA
Either dampner can be used on the 327. I believe i remember that the smaller on gets the first two harmonics and the larger on is required for the 3rd harmonic on the crank as it is rated at much higher RPM than the smaller one.
I would not drill and tap the CI crank unless you remove it and do it in the machine shop. Millions were not tapped and worked flawlessly.
Unless you're taking the smaller damper up to 6K RPM regularly you don't have a problem with using it.
I would not drill and tap the CI crank unless you remove it and do it in the machine shop. Millions were not tapped and worked flawlessly.
Unless you're taking the smaller damper up to 6K RPM regularly you don't have a problem with using it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
i really can't understand your logic.......
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,425
Likes: 1,220
From: Glen Allen VA
Well I didn't answer the OP's questions completely. I would not put the big damper on the smaller engine.
I would not drill and tap the crank in the engine because you cannnot align the drill with the crank centerline accurately. Drill it wrong and it will either vibrate, break the crank and or likely require replacement. That crank is Cast iron, not forged steel. Get some wobble out on the end of that shaft with lots of metal removed is dangerous. You cannot hold a drill in mid air. Any thoughts on why it isn't already tapped?
Granted, if the bigger damper, or even the smaller one could be easily bolted, that would be preferred. I would not try the larger damper without a bolt. If you can make a tapped hole exactly on the centerline, proceed.
I would not drill and tap the crank in the engine because you cannnot align the drill with the crank centerline accurately. Drill it wrong and it will either vibrate, break the crank and or likely require replacement. That crank is Cast iron, not forged steel. Get some wobble out on the end of that shaft with lots of metal removed is dangerous. You cannot hold a drill in mid air. Any thoughts on why it isn't already tapped?
Granted, if the bigger damper, or even the smaller one could be easily bolted, that would be preferred. I would not try the larger damper without a bolt. If you can make a tapped hole exactly on the centerline, proceed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
speak for yourself guy, on what you can and cannot do....
maybe i should send out a re-call on the dozen or so i have done over the years "freehand" with great results, especially on nhra sanctioned drag cars...........
maybe i should send out a re-call on the dozen or so i have done over the years "freehand" with great results, especially on nhra sanctioned drag cars......
.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,425
Likes: 1,220
From: Glen Allen VA
Ya know, I'm on a few boards and they have mostly good people having fun and helping out. This board has the largest collection of know it all *******s with smart *** attitudes of any I've ever visited. Think I'll move along. You guys deserve each other.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 7
From: DFW
Give Pop a break. He's right about the correct way to nose drill a crank, and seems to understand a little about dampers. I learned something! These are actually pretty robust machines we play with so you can get away with a lot of approximations/short cuts. But if you want to do it right...
Harry
Harry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Give Pop a break. He's right about the correct way to nose drill a crank, and seems to understand a little about dampers. I learned something! These are actually pretty robust machines we play with so you can get away with a lot of approximations/short cuts. But if you want to do it right...
Harry
Harry
he didn't have to direct his brash comments to me or other c/f members, wtf/ we are all here trying to help out or learn other proven techniques..... it is a simple job to do and it won't take anything out of balance or create a wobble, if you really go bubba on it, i guess anything is possible.......peace and harmony i say, life's too short.....
