harmonic balancer questions
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
harmonic balancer questions
How does one tell if the balancer is still good or getting old? I have no idea about the age or originality of the balancer installed on my car.
The second question pertains to size. Currently my balancer is 6-3/4". What determines the use of either a 6-3/4" or 8" balancer on a sbc 350ci?
The second question pertains to size. Currently my balancer is 6-3/4". What determines the use of either a 6-3/4" or 8" balancer on a sbc 350ci?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 340
Likes: 1
From: St. Clair Shores Michigan
Re: harmonic balancer questions (Frankenvette)
I had same delima...how old is that sucker...well for 50 clams I just got the new one. as for size, well the larger one would prevent my timing indicator from staying in its current location, so same as org. for me.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Area Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: harmonic balancer questions (Frankenvette)
If you determine you don't need a new one make sure if you pull it off to check the sleeve on it for a groove that wears from where the seal rides which causes oil leakage. They make a repair sleeve for $4 or $5 that you can get from Napa and probably most other parts stores :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: harmonic balancer questions (Frankenvette)
The outer ring can slip. Many times when this happens the ring will either slip forward or backwards. This is pretty easy to spot as it will either begin to rub the timing cover or even fall off. The ring can slip around the circumfrence as well which would move the TDC timing mark out of place. a good way to check that is to get a positive piston stop that screws into the #1 plug hole. The stop protrudes into the path of the pistion and stops it short of reaching the top. You rotate the engine by hand untill it gently touches the stop then mark the balancer from a fixed point. Then you do the same thing rotating the engine in the oppisite direction and make another mark using the same reference as the first mark. True TDC will be the location exactly in the center of the two marks. If your balancer has not slipped, its TDC mark should be right there.
My outer ring slipped back and began to rub the timing cover. I went and got a Fluidampr which was expensive but its a solid welded one piece unit. I will never have problems with seperating balancer again. Since i take my vette on long trips sometimes. The extra $ was good insurance that I wont become stranded due to failing balancer. Its rather common for the factory style two piece units to fail.
My outer ring slipped back and began to rub the timing cover. I went and got a Fluidampr which was expensive but its a solid welded one piece unit. I will never have problems with seperating balancer again. Since i take my vette on long trips sometimes. The extra $ was good insurance that I wont become stranded due to failing balancer. Its rather common for the factory style two piece units to fail.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,147
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: harmonic balancer questions (Frankenvette)
The second question pertains to size. Currently my balancer is 6-3/4". What determines the use of either a 6-3/4" or 8" balancer on a sbc 350ci?
tom...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Re: harmonic balancer questions (Tom73)
Thanks for the responses. Last night while I was trying to measure the balancer I found oil on the balancer. I'm assuming the timimg cover seal is leaking. Everything down there is so old and dirty I think I'll just replace the balancer and timing cover. Then I only have to fix 10 other oil leaks on the engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: harmonic balancer questions (Jvette73)
What JVette said. The ring that holds the 2 pieces together is a rubber compound and will eventually fail. I spent a long time trying to figure out my timing problem before realizing my balancer had slipped. It's an easy job to replace, so if you have any doubts at all, I'd do it.
JB
JB
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Maryland
Re: harmonic balancer questions (JB)
I know where you're coming from. The balancer on my 78 has slipped. When the engine is on TDC It's reading about 6 degrees BTDC. It's on my to do list as soon as it thaws out here in Pasadena, Maryland
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Re: harmonic balancer questions (djgrelli)
Sorry if i hijack this thread and ask a similar question regarding Dampers. :D :cheers:
Whats the differens between a LS7 damper and a stock 454 damper?
Sorry sorry.. :smash: :cheers:
Whats the differens between a LS7 damper and a stock 454 damper?
Sorry sorry.. :smash: :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: harmonic balancer questions (djgrelli)
I know where you're coming from. The balancer on my 78 has slipped. When the engine is on TDC It's reading about 6 degrees BTDC. It's on my to do list as soon as it thaws out here in Pasadena, Maryland
