Harmonic Balancer won't comme off
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Harmonic Balancer won't come off
I have been using a puller. It came out about 1/4" from the crankshaft snub but won't come off any further. I have removed and replaced the puller several times. Used a rubber mallet to loosen the damper, tried an electric impact wrench on the puller but all to no avail. Any helpful hints. I am stuck right now.
[Modified by BB68Vett, 2:38 PM 9/2/2001]
[Modified by BB68Vett, 2:46 PM 9/2/2001]
[Modified by BB68Vett, 2:38 PM 9/2/2001]
[Modified by BB68Vett, 2:46 PM 9/2/2001]
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby BC
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (BB68Vett)
Once you get past the initial force required to move the balancer, it should come off smoothly, with little or no additional effort. Are you certain you removed the washer(s) behind the bolt? If you are doing this procedure in the car it is easy to miss. That could explain the resistance, as you are in effect trying to pull/push the washer thru the balancer. Other than that kind of mechanical interference, I can not think of a reason for the balancer to jam part way off. Maybe re-seating the balancer an some WD40 or similar penetrating oil might help. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (BB68Vett)
Yes, I am sure I removed the washer to which you refer. It was quite thick. I have done this before and never encountered this type of resistance. As you state, usually there is some intial effort and then it slides off. I wonder if the woodruff key is causing problems.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,867
Likes: 721
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (BB68Vett)
Could the center threaded "bolt" of the puller be too large for the balancer to pull over it? I've run into this problem before, and have had to use a socket from a wrench set to put on the crank snout. Also...if you have a 3 prong puller, all of the bolts should be equally tight so you pull evenly. It's a real PIA to do in the car...especially on a BB. Hope this helps. Chuck
Intermediate
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Wantagh, New York, U.S.A.
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (BB68Vett)
I had this same thing happen when I changed my balancer on my BB.
Try this - when you get the puller center screw as tight as you can get it, give the screw a good coupla wacks square on the head with a dead-blow hammer. Sometimes this is the only way it will break free. Be careful though, it is theoretically possible to damage the crank rear thrust bearing using this method. :nono:
It will work though. Did for me.
rgds, Leprechaun
Try this - when you get the puller center screw as tight as you can get it, give the screw a good coupla wacks square on the head with a dead-blow hammer. Sometimes this is the only way it will break free. Be careful though, it is theoretically possible to damage the crank rear thrust bearing using this method. :nono:
It will work though. Did for me.
rgds, Leprechaun
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Iselin NJ
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (BB68Vett)
On my '72 BB the only way to get the harmonic balancer off is to unbolt one of the motor mounts, then lift the engine until the balancer clears the chassis. You may have the same problem because, the balancer comes out to a certain point then stops from interference from the chassis.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (BB68Vett)
Chuck, I ran all of the puller bolts in evenly. Also, I have visually checked and the end of the puller is centered and smaller than the crank snout.
Clai1, there is no interference from the chassis and I have done this before with the engine in the car and without touching the motor mounts.
Leprechaun, thanks for the tip, I will try it. At this point I am at my wits end and I can't understand why it won't just slide off.
Anyone else out there with a helpful hint or two?
Clai1, there is no interference from the chassis and I have done this before with the engine in the car and without touching the motor mounts.
Leprechaun, thanks for the tip, I will try it. At this point I am at my wits end and I can't understand why it won't just slide off.
Anyone else out there with a helpful hint or two?
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (BB68Vett)
Sounds like your woodruf key may be rotating on the crank while it is moving out. If you can stick a scribe or small screwdriver in the slot to hold it in place it may help. I am a SB guy and don't know if you can get to the slot on a BB. Hope this helps...good luck. If all else fails get a bigger :smash: :lol: :lol:
John
[Modified by theandies, 10:24 PM 9/2/2001]
John
[Modified by theandies, 10:24 PM 9/2/2001]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (theandies)
I can get to the slot but I am not sure that it will make a difference because this thing is really stuck. I will definitely try it though. Nothing to lose but it will be hard with the puller in place.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,178
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (BB68Vett)
i would tap it back in. Spray liquid wrench, try again. Heat with propane torch, will make it expand.
once i tied a chain to another car, drove off at speed, removed engine from car :lol:
once i tied a chain to another car, drove off at speed, removed engine from car :lol:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Re: Harmonic Balancer won't come off (drives61)
The balancer won't move in or out now. I have tried tapping it back on and starting over but to no avail. I am afraid to heat use for fear of heating something up that shouldn't be. I will just keep trying. I'll post my procedure when I do get it off (hopefully).
