Harmonic Balancer Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: California
Harmonic Balancer Question
i got a Balancer Installer and as im putting the balancer on, the nut im twisting to push the dang thing on starts spinning the entire motor. now how far does that balancer have to be on? anyone have a picture of theirs with maybe a ruler next to it? mines about a good 9/16 away maybe farther and thats when the assembly starts to spin. when i installed it before it wouldnt even budge *the motor* but now it spins when i go to tighten it? what gives?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Waco TX
Put some grease on the inside of the balancer and the crank journal. Also, you'll likely need to wedge something on the back of the crank to keep it from spinning. I used a large pry bar between two flywheel bolts. The balancer is completely installed when the front of the crank journal is flush with the recess on the balancer that the balancer bolt washer makes contact with.
Additionally, don't try to wrench it down too quick. Take your time.
Additionally, don't try to wrench it down too quick. Take your time.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: California
it looks like the balancer will hit the timing cover if i go too far. can that even happen or am i just coo-coo for HP puffs lol now when you meant the washer is flush with the tip of the crank, wont it hit the timing cover? i think im misunderstanding something.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
for $8 i rented a Balancer install tool from local auto part shop... thats the best way to do it, if rely on the bolt to installt you could strip the threads. and it goes on a lot easier.
http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...e=1269&PTSet=A
http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...e=1269&PTSet=A
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
for $8 i rented a Balancer install tool from local auto part shop... thats the best way to do it, if rely on the bolt to installt you could strip the threads. and it goes on a lot easier.
http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...e=1269&PTSet=A
http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...e=1269&PTSet=A
I agree,
, use the install tool. I bought mine and have used it plenty of times and it's made things so much easier.My very first balancer install? I did it with a block of wood and a hammer.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Waco TX
As for your worry of the balancer hitting the timing cover, not possible but make sure that it is installed all the way on to the journal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
make sure the crank and balancer are sqeaky clean; only need to add a small amount of grease (or use assembly lube). the balancer bottoms out on the front of the crank sprocket which bottoms out on facing on the crank. you should feel this when installing. you can also put a little sealant on the woodruff keys if you choose.
you may want to check the fit of the woodruff keys in the crank and balancer first. you may have to sand or file a burr or two, or a new key could be slightly too tall. any misfit makes installation pretty hard.
good luck . . .
you may want to check the fit of the woodruff keys in the crank and balancer first. you may have to sand or file a burr or two, or a new key could be slightly too tall. any misfit makes installation pretty hard.
good luck . . .
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i used the loaner tool from auto zone and i "dressed" the crank snout to make those old scars dissapear, i also used some blue rtv on the woodruff key and some wd40 to make it all slide together
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 865
Likes: 4
From: troy, mi
Boil the balancer in hot water for a few minutes, take the pot and all to the garage and proceed with gloves on quickly and the balancer will go on the room temp crank snout much easier with any of the methods-don't use grease or anything else-just clean surfaces only(don't worry about a bit of water from boiling it)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: California
Boil the balancer in hot water for a few minutes, take the pot and all to the garage and proceed with gloves on quickly and the balancer will go on the room temp crank snout much easier with any of the methods-don't use grease or anything else-just clean surfaces only(don't worry about a bit of water from boiling it)
i dont know if i made myself clear *i rarely do * but ive been using the installer tool the whole time, and when i got about half way on thats when it started getting hard and then the motor started to roll over. im going to have to take it back off check it to make sure it is clean as a whistle and redo it....i planned on doing my intake gaskets today too
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 865
Likes: 4
From: troy, mi
Boiling it won't hurt the paint-its not getting as hot as when the engine has been running on a hot day probably. this is just another factor to help--if the damper is off sized, a ridge, etc, it will still not go on easy-look and solve the problem then...