Harmonic Balancer Question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 1,148
From: Vermilion OH
Harmonic Balancer Question
installing the harmonic balancer on my 84's engine and it stopped sliding over the crankshaft. I don't think its deep enough.. here's a pic:
if it needs to be deeper, how much deeper on the crank should it go? how does one go about getting it to slide onto the crankshaft farther?
if it needs to be deeper, how much deeper on the crank should it go? how does one go about getting it to slide onto the crankshaft farther?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 1,148
From: Vermilion OH
I will have to find a center section with the same thread pitch as my harmonic balancer bolt.. then it looks to be a spacer, a nut and a washer.. and I would turn the nut while holding the end of the threaded center section? where does the washer go?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
The tool is SBC specific. It threads into the crank snout, and the washer goes between the bearing and the balancer. Works like a champ. I had the balancer back on my old 84 in under a minute and fully seated.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
It's possible that the harmonic balancer is hitting the key for the timing chain gear. Had that happen to me. I had to do a little tapping on the gear key to get it down and out of the way. Don't know why it was a problem since the harmonic balancer was on there more than 15 years...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 1,148
From: Vermilion OH
i considered that. i may remove the balancer and see if there are any burrs that i missed on the key for either the lower chain gear or the balancer. once i have the proper tool install should go easily. i did ensure that the lower timing gear was seated all the way onto the crankshaft.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
You should be able to feel it when the end of the balancer bottoms out against the cam gear. even when bottomed out, the end of the crank is recessed down in the bore of the balancer, so don't be concerned that it is no where close to flush. If you pull the balancer yo can measure the depth from the face of the timing cover seal to the face of the cam gear, then mark the same distance on the balancer nose with a piece of masking tape. when the edge of tape is flush with the seal you will either be seated or close enough that torquing the crank bolt will pull it up the rest of the way. (as suggested, check that cam key. If you chamfer the entry of the key slot in the balancer a bit things square up a lot easier)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 1,148
From: Vermilion OH
after removing the balancer and reinspecting it, it appears as though the balancer shaft is bottoming out on the timing gear. i did ensure that the timing gear was fully seated on the crankshaft. here's what the timing marks look like. is this normal??:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 1,148
From: Vermilion OH
after reinstalling the balancer and installing the water pump, it seems as though it was seated properly the entire time and i was worrying for nothing. the balancer and the water pump pulley appear to line up perfectly:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I recently did a timing chain replacement and had the same issue. The harmonic balancer just didn't seem to be on the crank far enough. I used the "pulley alignment" criterion to decide it was OK. I've been driving it a couple of weeks and the belt hasn't flown off so I think I'm good.
. Nice work
.