Damper/Crankshaft problem
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Lincolnton NC
Damper/Crankshaft problem
Because of a bad leak around the front seal, I took off the water pump, timing cover, and damper to replace the seal and install a new timing cover. As I was cleaning up after removing the above, I found a moocoho big problem. I had replaced this seal about 2 years ago because it was leaking, and was a little puzzled why it went bad so fast again. Today I noticed scratches and cuts on the crank shaft the seal ultimately covers.....
thats the reason the seal is not holding up I think. 
If so, Now what? do I try to "sand, file, etc?" the scratches out?
If I was able to get the scratches out, the shaft will be a couple thousandths less in diameter (or more) so it would still leak, right?
please don't tell me I'm in the market for a new crank. 
thanks in advance for your great imput folks, jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
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From: Dayton Oh
On my 79 Vette, I replaced the engine with a 4bolt block from an 85 Suburban but reused the 79L82 damper. During breakin I noticed a leak from behind the damper. When I pulled the damper, I saw that a groove had worn into the dampers lip or snout causing the leak. The groove was where the seal makes contact to the damper. IE, the seal contacts the damper not the crank, at least on my setup. Changing the damper and seal took care of my problem. BTW, don't use a cheap damper as I originally tried. Turned out to be from China and workmanship was very poor and resulted in several PITA's for me. Buy USA 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Des Allemands LA
Originally Posted by big_G
To fix the damper snout get a "Seal-Saver" 
This is a sleeve that slides/presses over the balancer and eliminates the groove commonly caused by the front seal. Have done this numerous time with good results.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by ltlevil
This is a sleeve that slides/presses over the balancer and eliminates the groove commonly caused by the front seal. Have done this numerous time with good results.
aka "Redi-Sleeve" ... works very well. BTW, front seal does not ride on crank ... it rides on damper's snout ... a scatch/groove on front of crank don't mean squat ... scratches/grooves on damper snout is what causes leak ... and can be fixed w/ seal saver aka "Redi-Sleeve".
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
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From: North Alabama
What condition is your balancer in? Have you hammered on it or taken some other absusive measure to put it on or take it off?
Reason I ask is because if it is a little out of balance, it will tear up that new seal in short order...ya, the redi sleeve will work with a new seal, but if your balancer is slightly out of balance, you will see this problem again...sleeve or not.
Reason I ask is because if it is a little out of balance, it will tear up that new seal in short order...ya, the redi sleeve will work with a new seal, but if your balancer is slightly out of balance, you will see this problem again...sleeve or not.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 99
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From: Lincolnton NC
you made my day!!!!
Thank you so much for the info! It undoubtly saved me much time getting to the bottom of this. Looks like a new damper and redi-seal.
Things did not go well at church this morning but your help just turned everything around ! thanks again! (just so I don't have to replace the crank!!!!) jim
Things did not go well at church this morning but your help just turned everything around ! thanks again! (just so I don't have to replace the crank!!!!) jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Des Allemands LA
Originally Posted by fl_rider
If you buy a new damper you wont need the redi-seal
Originally Posted by vettepilot68
What condition is your balancer in? Have you hammered on it or taken some other absusive measure to put it on or take it off?
Reason I ask is because if it is a little out of balance, it will tear up that new seal in short order...ya, the redi sleeve will work with a new seal, but if your balancer is slightly out of balance, you will see this problem again...sleeve or not.
Reason I ask is because if it is a little out of balance, it will tear up that new seal in short order...ya, the redi sleeve will work with a new seal, but if your balancer is slightly out of balance, you will see this problem again...sleeve or not.
. In order for the dampner to cause problems with the seal it would have to "flop" around on the end of the crank, if that is the case you would DEFINETLY feel this and would have bigger problems. This may have been what vettepilot was trying to say, but something would have to be out of round for there to be a problem.New seal and balancer as you stated will take care of the problem. One important thing to remember while installing the front seal (especially while on the car) is to make sure you get in installed square and DO NOT bend the timing cover.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Lincolnton NC
ltlevil, jackson, vette pilot68, b71Vette, BigG, Marshrat99.: thanks again for your great response...you impress me, as always, with having THE answers NOW!
I had painted my dampner the last go-around, and after you reminded me that the seal actually rides on it's boss, snout, I looked at mine. of course there were 2 small lines around the snout where the two ends of the seal grabbed....I'm assuming the ground up paint must have been the problem.
I've had no known problems w/the dampner but I'm checking around tonight to see what a good replacement will cost me.
Incidentially, I'm the 3rd owner of this 81, but I can not believe either of the other two owners would have put a pipe wrench on that crank. Being a pipefitter many moons ago, I recognized their markings. Incredible! (Poor man's got poor ways!)thanks again, jimj
I had painted my dampner the last go-around, and after you reminded me that the seal actually rides on it's boss, snout, I looked at mine. of course there were 2 small lines around the snout where the two ends of the seal grabbed....I'm assuming the ground up paint must have been the problem.
I've had no known problems w/the dampner but I'm checking around tonight to see what a good replacement will cost me.
Incidentially, I'm the 3rd owner of this 81, but I can not believe either of the other two owners would have put a pipe wrench on that crank. Being a pipefitter many moons ago, I recognized their markings. Incredible! (Poor man's got poor ways!)thanks again, jimj
