Harmonic Balancer Rebuilding/Replacement Suggestion
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Edmonds WA
Harmonic Balancer Rebuilding/Replacement Suggestion
I'm in the middle of a frame off restoration of my 75 convertible. I pulled the engine and discovered the harmonic balancer had separated. I contacted several of the usual corvette parts suppliers and found that the reproduction part was back ordered or no longer offered. The back ordered part was $135.00. I heard about a used one at a local Corvette supplier so my wife went and picked it up. When she got home I couldn’t believe that the guy had the nerve to sell it. It was obviously beaten with a hammer; I wasn’t about to put it on my engine.
The machinist rebuilding my engine told me about a place called Damper Dudes in Redding, CA. that rebuilds harmonic balancers. I called them and got an estimate of $53.00. I was skeptical but I didn’t have anything to lose. I packaged it up and sent it off. The next day they called me and told me they received my balancer and would be able to machine it and ship it out the same day. I was shocked and still a little skeptical. Two days later the box arrived at my house. Much to my surprise it was my balancer looking new! They did an outstanding job of rebuilding the balancer and it looked original! They ensure me that the compound used to attach the outer ring to the hub is much stronger and reliable than the original material. It will definitely meet NCRS standards. Kudos to Damper Dudes! They were definately concerned about originality and customer service. Oh yeah, the final cost with shipping was $57.83.
P.S. Their website is "damperdudes.net".
The machinist rebuilding my engine told me about a place called Damper Dudes in Redding, CA. that rebuilds harmonic balancers. I called them and got an estimate of $53.00. I was skeptical but I didn’t have anything to lose. I packaged it up and sent it off. The next day they called me and told me they received my balancer and would be able to machine it and ship it out the same day. I was shocked and still a little skeptical. Two days later the box arrived at my house. Much to my surprise it was my balancer looking new! They did an outstanding job of rebuilding the balancer and it looked original! They ensure me that the compound used to attach the outer ring to the hub is much stronger and reliable than the original material. It will definitely meet NCRS standards. Kudos to Damper Dudes! They were definately concerned about originality and customer service. Oh yeah, the final cost with shipping was $57.83.
P.S. Their website is "damperdudes.net".
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,391
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
emf -
Over the past year-or-so, I've come across 3 stock harmonic balancers where the outer ring had slipped, and I've been involved in two cases where stock-type harmonic balancers have actually exploded: In one case, a friend was serious hurt, and in the other case we seriously damaged a Vette. Unless you're doing some kind of points-judged showing with the car, skip the stock-type and the rebuilt balancer options and get a reasonably-priced SFI-Approved balancer. It will keep you and your car safe. You can get very good balancers with SFI ratings for about $150 (try Pioneer part number 872021).
Over the past year-or-so, I've come across 3 stock harmonic balancers where the outer ring had slipped, and I've been involved in two cases where stock-type harmonic balancers have actually exploded: In one case, a friend was serious hurt, and in the other case we seriously damaged a Vette. Unless you're doing some kind of points-judged showing with the car, skip the stock-type and the rebuilt balancer options and get a reasonably-priced SFI-Approved balancer. It will keep you and your car safe. You can get very good balancers with SFI ratings for about $150 (try Pioneer part number 872021).
Nice find!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Originally Posted by gtr1999
I used Damper Dr out of CA- maybe it's the same place? Price is about the same, quick turnaround, comes back painted black.
Gary
Gary
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Originally Posted by lars
emf -
Unless you're doing some kind of points-judged showing with the car, skip the stock-type and the rebuilt balancer options and get a reasonably-priced SFI-Approved balancer. It will keep you and your car safe. You can get very good balancers with SFI ratings for about $150 (try Pioneer part number 872021).
Unless you're doing some kind of points-judged showing with the car, skip the stock-type and the rebuilt balancer options and get a reasonably-priced SFI-Approved balancer. It will keep you and your car safe. You can get very good balancers with SFI ratings for about $150 (try Pioneer part number 872021).
