[C2] GM crate engine
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 4
From: Lorena Texas
GM crate engine
Looking at installing this in a 66 4speed car:
Would like to use stock balancer & flywheel since it does not come with them?
Say's engine is internally balanced. Hopefully my balancer and fw will work?
Any advice is appreciated.
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance-parts/crate-engines/small-block-engine/350-290-hp
Would like to use stock balancer & flywheel since it does not come with them?
Say's engine is internally balanced. Hopefully my balancer and fw will work?
Any advice is appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 2,625
From: Really Central IL Illinois
I believe the 350s used a larger diameter harmonic balancer, like a 7 inch. The 66 300 hp 327 uses a 6 inch. I would get the right balancer for the engine. The flywheel and bellhousing are a bolt on swap.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,617
Likes: 1,547
From: Olive branch Ms
Just make sure your original damper doesn't have a bad groove from the seal. If so they make repair sleeves but don't buy the cheapest ones. By cheapest I mean the imported chromed ones. They are so soft I have seen the seal push the metal from the sleeve into the groove in the damper many many times. Also your rubber needs to be in good condition. I have built tons of SBCs with very different dampers and never once seen an issue.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
FWIW, I drove a '63 last year that the owner put this exact engine in and was surprised how well it ran. Smooth, and very strong all through the band. It moved that SWC around like it had much more than 290 HP. So it turned out to be a good choice.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 130
Likes: 30
From: San Jose CA
I installed this engine in my car and re-used the smaller dampener and Flywheel no problem. EXEPT that the timing pointer on my cover was off 6 degrees retarded. My guess is that I had a mix of Heinz 57 parts as the engine that was in the car was a 283 from a station wagon plus who knows were the timing cover came from. My advice is to check the timing with with the piston at TDC. It was very tricky for me, I ended up Amazoning one of the mechanical TDC piston stops because I was chasing my tail with screwdrivers trying to find 6 degrees.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Looking at that motor in the link you provided I don't see a timing tab on the timing cover. You will need a timing tab for which ever dampner you choose and as just mentioned you should verify TDC on #1 with a spark plug tool. I think starting with a new dampner is good advice and nearly all of them on the sbc are zero balanced which will work with your internal balanced motor. But you want a dampner with the same clearance from anything else in the area and I have read sometimes a large(r) dampner can contact the frame crossover. I would measure and match the dampner you have now if replacing and select a timing tab to match - then of course verify #1 TDC before installing the motor.
While your flywheel will fit and work with that engine as long as its off of the engine I would have it resurfaced before reinstalling it.
BTW I think Pioneer dampners are a good value.
While your flywheel will fit and work with that engine as long as its off of the engine I would have it resurfaced before reinstalling it.
BTW I think Pioneer dampners are a good value.
Last edited by cardo0; Oct 9, 2020 at 02:46 PM. Reason: BTW