Harmonic Balancer alignment????

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Nov 13, 2005 | 03:02 PM

kdcollins

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From: Thomson Illinois

Harmonic Balancer alignment????

The 383 is nearly ready to install in the car, but I have run accross another problem. After test fitting the pulleys to ensure no snags once the engine is in the car, I found they are not in alignment.
I have checked the depth of the new billet pulleys with the original steel, all is good.
Checked the depth of the new aluminum water pump with the original, all is good.
Compared total thickness of new harmonic balancer to old one, same thickness.
The only other varible is the crank timing gear. I installed a Proform #PRO-66917C gear drive.
Does anyone know if this gear is thicker than the standard chain type gear?
I did not campare the thickness prior to install (shame on me).
Or, am I missing something else?

Thanks!
KC

Nov 13, 2005 | 06:04 PM

David Ey

Burning Brakes

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From: Ft.Worth Texas

So, I suppose the other pulleys need spacing out farther?
On second thought, I would check the thickness of the timing gear to be sure.

Nov 13, 2005 | 06:13 PM

big_G

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Austin Texas

I think the gears are all the same thickness. Maybe the gear is not all the way on?

Nov 13, 2005 | 06:35 PM

djgrelli

Racer

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From: Pasadena Maryland

You hit the nail right on the head. The crank gear on the ProForm Gear drive is about 1/8" thicker than stock. I found out the hard way when I rebuilt our 327 in our 23 T-Bucket. You can buy pulley shims at Jegs or Summit to align the pulleys. They don't have to be perfect but you better get them as close as possible. You can throw a belt very easy.

Nov 13, 2005 | 06:56 PM

kdcollins

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From: Thomson Illinois

Thanks for the response guys! Guess it is time for some shimming........

Thanks!
KC

Nov 14, 2005 | 05:38 PM

jackson

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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina

You've only seen the tip of the (possible) iceberg.

Geardrives can be VERY hard on the crank's front main journal & cap ... more often than not they transfer loads DOWN on & into the front main cap. Chains pull UP against whole block.

Then there's gear noise ... you & others may tire of it sooner than later.

Unless your combo REQUIRES a geardrive, I suggest going to a good doubleroller speed set ... e.g. cloyes or rollmaster ... $60-$100.

Nov 14, 2005 | 06:17 PM

GOSFAST

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2005

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Gear Drives - Forget It

Gear drives literally "eat" roller lifters for breakfast. The combination of engine and driveline "harmonics" gets fed right up to the cam and lifters. We build nothing with gear drives installed. Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

Nov 26, 2005 | 12:14 PM

kdcollins

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From: Thomson Illinois

I have found the answer on this.
I purchased the pulleys from Summit. The description stated "For all Small Block Chevys with Long Water Pump".
I called their tech. When he learned I was wanting to install on the 76 with the stock length LONG Corvette water pump, he said..... "These are for all SBC EXCEPT Corvette, the Corvette has its own water pump length and these pullys will not work and we do not sell pulleys for the Corvette".

So, I installed the old steel ones.
(now I'm kinda wondering/worrying about the gear drive).

Thanks to all with advise!
KC