harmonic balancer bolt problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock TX
harmonic balancer bolt problem
i was taking off the harmonic balancer yesterday and everything seemed to go ok. but when i tried to thread in the middle bolt that holds the balancer and pulleys it wouldnt go in. i think i stripped a few of the outside threads with the puller.
whats the best way to fix this? hopefully it will be cheap
sean
whats the best way to fix this? hopefully it will be cheap
sean
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
i was taking off the harmonic balancer yesterday and everything seemed to go ok. but when i tried to thread in the middle bolt that holds the balancer and pulleys it wouldnt go in. i think i stripped a few of the outside threads with the puller.
whats the best way to fix this? hopefully it will be cheap
sean
whats the best way to fix this? hopefully it will be cheap
sean
Get yourself a thread chaser of the same thread size and count, and run it in. Don't use a tap...use a thread chaser. Use oil when you do this, and make sure you spray it out with brake cleaner and compressed air.
Question - Are you trying to use the bolt to install the balancer? If so you do not want do this. Rent the tool from Oreilly or Autozone and install the balancer by pressing it on with the tool. Once the balancer is seated against the shoulder on the crank...then install the bolt and torque it to the correct specs.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale Ca
Try a thread chaser (not a tap), IIRC it's 7/16th-20...just take your bolt down to NAPA/etc to get the right one.
The thread chaser has blunter (is that a word?) threads on it than a tap, and shouldn't allow you to start cuttnig new threads.
I've heard of guys on other forums say they have tapped the crank for 1/2in, but I've never tried/needed too.
The thread chaser has blunter (is that a word?) threads on it than a tap, and shouldn't allow you to start cuttnig new threads.
I've heard of guys on other forums say they have tapped the crank for 1/2in, but I've never tried/needed too.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Thanks...I'm just trying to be helpful.
Oh, OP, I wasn't inferring that you would be trying to install the balancer with just that bolt so don't be offended that I might assume something like that. It was just a safe way to say it in the event that that was the case.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
I have a nice little Snapon thread chaser kit, so the point it moot. However, I think a starting tap would be ok to use, depending on how damaged the threads in the crank were.
A thread chaser is basically square all the way down, whereas a starting tap is tapered. If you have really buggered up the first couple of threads then it might be difficult to get a thread chaser to start properly and if you don't get it to start properly, then you could further bugger up the threads or even snap it off.
Just my 2c...
Oh, I am DEFINITELY busy the weekend you want to try and remove a broken thread chaser from your crank snout insitu
A thread chaser is basically square all the way down, whereas a starting tap is tapered. If you have really buggered up the first couple of threads then it might be difficult to get a thread chaser to start properly and if you don't get it to start properly, then you could further bugger up the threads or even snap it off.
Just my 2c...
Oh, I am DEFINITELY busy the weekend you want to try and remove a broken thread chaser from your crank snout insitu
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Just out of curiosity, what sort of puller were you using? The type with three bolts screwed into the balancer then a big central bolt to pull the balancer off? If so, did you have a little thread protector gadget thingy that goes on the end of the central bolt?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock TX
no there wasnt a protector on the end of the large bolt i didnt see one in the kit.
i think just the outside 2 or 3 threads are stripped. ill try the thread chaser and if it seems like its not working ill stop.
thank for the help DB. im not to the point of rinstalling the balancer yet, but most likely i would of used the bolt to install it. You probably saved me a lot of time and money.
Thanks for all the help
i think just the outside 2 or 3 threads are stripped. ill try the thread chaser and if it seems like its not working ill stop.
Are you trying to use the bolt to install the balancer? If so you do not want do this. Rent the tool from Oreilly or Autozone and install the balancer by pressing it on with the tool. Once the balancer is seated against the shoulder on the crank...then install the bolt and torque it to the correct specs.
Thanks for all the help
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Again, just my 2c or even 3c worth...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock TX
looks worse than i thought
here are some pictures...
Now i have another problem, i bought a lifter removal tool and the end broke and the ball bearing went down where the red arrow is. where does it lead to and can i get it out.
would it be easier to keep going on this engine and replacing these parts or to return them and buy a new one. what is a good price for a 350?
Now i have another problem, i bought a lifter removal tool and the end broke and the ball bearing went down where the red arrow is. where does it lead to and can i get it out.
would it be easier to keep going on this engine and replacing these parts or to return them and buy a new one. what is a good price for a 350?
Last edited by smon; Jul 7, 2007 at 07:58 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
The ball bearing is most likely in the oil pan.
This thread will help you with the lifter removal. Lars post is the way to go. His method will not hurt the lifter bores.
Once you start going inside a old motor things just kinda start to snowball. I have been there. Good luck
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...lifter+removal
This thread will help you with the lifter removal. Lars post is the way to go. His method will not hurt the lifter bores.
Once you start going inside a old motor things just kinda start to snowball. I have been there. Good luck
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...lifter+removal
