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I have a 82 that I have been detailing by removing, cleaning and repainting the original parts in the engine bay and now I'm at the front. I removed all the pulleys but when I removed the crankshaft center bolt that holds the bottom pulley on engine oil came out. Then I was able to remove the pulley and the oil is coming from the center of the harmonic balancer. Does this mean the timing cover seal is bad and needs replaced?
My bet would be yes. You may be able to sneak the old seal out and tap a new seal in without removing the timing chain cover.
The hole for the balancer bolt is a blind hole so it's unlikely that the oil is leaking through there.
Ya that is what I was thinking as well. I noticed a slight groove on the harmonic balancer where it's riding on the seal. I don't know what would be excessive but you thumb nail catches it.
Ya that is what I was thinking as well. I noticed a slight groove on the harmonic balancer where it's riding on the seal. I don't know what would be excessive but you thumb nail catches it.
If your thumb nail catches on the groove, you will take out a new seal also. Measure the OD and get a 'speedie sleeve'. They go on quite easy, then a new seal and your good to go. NAPA has speedie sleeves.
Ya that is what I was thinking as well. I noticed a slight groove on the harmonic balancer where it's riding on the seal. I don't know what would be excessive but you thumb nail catches it.
Several vendors sell a sleeve repair kits that fit over the groove area of the balancer. They sell for <$10.00 so that might be a worthwhile option. Google chev harmonic balancer sleeve and you'll see plenty of them.
Several vendors sell a sleeve repair kits that fit over the groove area of the balancer. They sell for <$10.00 so that might be a worthwhile option. Google chev harmonic balancer sleeve and you'll see plenty of them.
One other tip...when you replace the damper, put a small dab of RTV in the keyway before you press the balancer in place. This will prevent oil from leaking through this groove, and dripping out when you remove the bolt (as you have already seen).
If your thumb nail catches on the groove, you will take out a new seal also. Measure the OD and get a 'speedie sleeve'. They go on quite easy, then a new seal and your good to go. NAPA has speedie sleeves.
One other tip...when you replace the damper, put a small dab of RTV in the keyway before you press the balancer in place. This will prevent oil from leaking through this groove, and dripping out when you remove the bolt (as you have already seen).
Hmmm, maybe that is what the problem was as I didn't have an oil leak to begin with, it was just as I removed the balancer bolt.
is there a speedie sleeve or similar application to cover grooves on the crank so the rear main seal does not leak?
Speedi Sleeves require one end of the shaft being repaired to be open. The speedi sleeve is put on over the open end and driven down to the proper depth. Then the bottom is peeled off (its deeply scribed) much like opening a sardine can. Since the crank end has the flywheel flange, it would not possible to install a speedi sleeve. To my knowledge on a crank rear seal surface the only repair would be to have the crank seal surface polished or if that does not work, then turned and polished. THe later woudl require a different rear bearing and seal. The crank would have to come out of the engine, ie some long bucks.