Need Some Help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 2,218
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Need Some Help
I finally got my '66 L79 back in shape (or so I thought)and the weather today in Colorado Springs was in the upper 60s so I drove it to work. I drove it to my office approx 18 miles, then a few hours later drove it another 10 to the USAF base that I primarily work at. Everything was running great. When I started to drive after work, I got maybe a quarter mile and started to hear a rattling coming from under the car. I quickly pulled into a parking lot, opened the hood to see what was going on. What I saw was the harmonic balancer slightly wobbling, which was also creating the noise. It was too late to get a tow truck to the base, so it is safely behind the fence of Schriever AFB until I can get it on a flatbed tomorrow, hopefully before the snowstorm hits. I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas at what problem I am looking at.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 2,218
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'll check both of those in the morning. I was in a suit and tie and it was starting to get dark so I couldn't see all that well. I'll report back tomorrow on what I see.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 37,659
Likes: 1,112
From: CA
If you need a new one or want your "stock" correct one, refurbished/rebuilt. These 2 places will do it..I bought one for my car from the first one here...
http://www.damperdoctor.com/
http://damperdudes.net/
http://www.damperdoctor.com/
http://damperdudes.net/
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
If your car has the center crank bolt that is supposed to be there on an L79, the bolt could be loose or the balancer could be coming apart at the vulcanized ring.
If your car has a press-on balancer, the crank snout or balancer surface could be damaged allowing the balancer to come loose, or it could be coming apart at the vulcanized ring.
Good luck
If your car has a press-on balancer, the crank snout or balancer surface could be damaged allowing the balancer to come loose, or it could be coming apart at the vulcanized ring.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 2,218
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The bolt was still in the balancer, but I wasn't able to really check it out today. I did get it to the shop and should have a good read on it in the next day or so.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 2,218
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Pulled the harmonic balancer today and it had a 3/4" crak on the "collar" that gets pressed onto the crankshaft. The crank looks fine, so it looks like I just need a new balancer and I should be good to go. Question: What would have happened if the balancer had come apart and come off the crankshaft while the engine was running?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 942
Likes: 3
From: Louisville KY
Pulled the harmonic balancer today and it had a 3/4" crak on the "collar" that gets pressed onto the crankshaft. The crank looks fine, so it looks like I just need a new balancer and I should be good to go. Question: What would have happened if the balancer had come apart and come off the crankshaft while the engine was running?
My first car was a Mustang and it got a harmonic balancer problem that was not worth fixing as the car was worth 1400 bucks. It sounded like a diesel.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 2,218
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I think I was very lucky. I was doing about 25 mph when it went from a smooth running quiet engine to a minor rattle to a loud noise in a matter of less than a minute. If it had happened 10 minutes later, I would have been on the highway doing 65 mph and probably would not have heard a thing until it grenaded.
