Harmonic balancer question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Harmonic balancer question
I'm pretty sure mine is getting sloppy. So looking in the Summit catalog I see a number of choices.
1-Is a piece like the Rattler worth the $$ asked?
2-Should I get the same diameter or does it make a difference?
3-When installing, I'm guessing/thinking to measure the crank hole diameter on the old one and bore or hone the new one to the same size, right?
Thanks
1-Is a piece like the Rattler worth the $$ asked?
2-Should I get the same diameter or does it make a difference?
3-When installing, I'm guessing/thinking to measure the crank hole diameter on the old one and bore or hone the new one to the same size, right?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
1. Prolly not for street use
2. Bigger is better in this case but make sure it will work with your other parts (water pump, timing tab, etc)
3. NO! They are press fit so get an installer tool to do it right, can be loaned from autozone.
BTW Make sure you get the right one as far as int vs ext balancing. I actually have an 8" balancer with a removable weight that can used for either int or ext balanced engines.
2. Bigger is better in this case but make sure it will work with your other parts (water pump, timing tab, etc)
3. NO! They are press fit so get an installer tool to do it right, can be loaned from autozone.
BTW Make sure you get the right one as far as int vs ext balancing. I actually have an 8" balancer with a removable weight that can used for either int or ext balanced engines.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Fevre, I know they're press fit, that's why I thought of duplicating the inside diameter of old to new. Not right thinking?
The engine is a base model crate I bought from Scroggin Dickey. I'll contact them about how it's balanced.
The engine is a base model crate I bought from Scroggin Dickey. I'll contact them about how it's balanced.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
The aftermarket balancers pretty much all need to be honed to fit. The instructions give you some pointers. I got an ATI and just honed it until I could get it installed (using the correct tool). As delivered they are too tight to install and can damage the crank if you force it on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Murphy NC
Stick with the factory unless you have a high performance motor. That race stuff is just that. Race stuff. Its only good if you are reving over 7000rpm. You know the factory one will fit and wont cause any problems. And best yet its cheaper. And bigger isnt better. More rotating weight eats power. Just stick with a replacement. Justin
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Problem I had was that most of the replacements are made in China, and I don't trust a made in China @ 6000 rpm. The genuine GM replacement is probably good but costs almost as much as an ATI/Fuidamper etc.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
You could also check with damper dudes at harmonicbalancers.com for rebuilding yours. They quoted me $85 for an 8 inch GM balancer. Another rebuilder is damperdoctor.com-they are across town from each other in/near Redding CA.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
I just bought a brand new 6-3/4" Harmonic Balancer on Ebay for $39.95 including shipping. It is made by Silver Seal Products in Trenton, Michigan 1-800-521-2936. It is an exact duplicate of the original factory unit that I removed and is a very nicely made piece. Installation was a piece of cake, just make sure you use an installation tool to put it on, DO NOT hammer it on!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Sorry, but for $39.95 I bet it's China made. There's a lot of shady labeling going on in the auto parts industry. For instance, the part can be made in China, and then a US company drills and taps the holes for the pulley and it suddenly becomes "Made in USA". Unfortunately this relabeling is legal.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 56
From: Shawano WI
Originally Posted by FEDX
Where is the Rattler made,and does anyone have any experience with running one?
They only seem to work good on drag race motors. On any endurance applications (oval track, road racing, street motors) where there is a lot of acceleration and decelleration they seem to show a lot of wear on the bearings.
They are made by TCI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by zwede
Sorry, but for $39.95 I bet it's China made. There's a lot of shady labeling going on in the auto parts industry. For instance, the part can be made in China, and then a US company drills and taps the holes for the pulley and it suddenly becomes "Made in USA". Unfortunately this relabeling is legal.
Last edited by Glassbowtie77; Dec 8, 2004 at 10:17 AM.
