harmonic balancer
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
harmonic balancer
Ok so i am taring into my engine, and was wondering about the harmonic balancer. Mainly, should it be replaced (again with the "when i am at it syndrome) If it should be replaced, then what is everyones recommendations? Cheers,
Steve
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
If the rubber is severly cracked or missing, I'd replace it even for a mild rebuild. If it looks in good shape, save your money.
If your building up the engine to make serious HP, then I'd upgrade it to an SFI approved balancer.
If your building up the engine to make serious HP, then I'd upgrade it to an SFI approved balancer.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
the rubber looks like crap to be honest. just another question, i have noticed all the rubber on my car is very deteriorated, more than i would have expected, even for 30 years. Is this typical?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
All the rubber was shot in my 76 when I bought it over 10 years ago, and it was only a little over 20 yrs old at that time. I basically replaced ever rubber thing in the car the first couple of years I had it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
I reused my OEM balancer when I replaced the original engine. Just a couple of months afterwards the outer ring slipped and had to replace the balancer. My suggestions are 1) be sure the new balancer is the correct one for your engine. My replacement's zero mark was in a different location in relation to the key way and I had to cut another one. 2) Bench test the fan bolts before installing the balancer. My replacement was manufactured in China and the machining was so poor that I had to re-tap the bolts. 3) If you've got a mic, use it to measure the OD of the crank and ID of the balancer. As my replacement was manufactured in China, I found that I had to hone the inside of the new balancer to bring it into specs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
I went with an ATI Super Damper on mine. A little on the pricey side but made right here in the good old USA. I still had to hone it a bit (per the instructions). No big deal - a brake cylinder hone works and an inexpensive digital caliper. Jegs had the best price when I wnet shopping. Pioneers are good too, made in Australia, I believe, and are OEM for a number of manufacturers. Do yourself a favor - stay away from those Chinese things.
