Balancer removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Balancer removal
I have heard of some removing the balancer on one of the motor pulleys. While this does not add HP I image it may take some load off the motor.
Any one does this?
Does it help?
Does it do any harm?
What was it supposed to do?
Any one does this?
Does it help?
Does it do any harm?
What was it supposed to do?
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Removal of the "frisbee" will decrease parasitic loss. The function of the frisbee is to dampen the clutch engagement of the ac compressor. A lot of people including myself have removed it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
Please explain this better or with any pictures of yours. I just replaced the harmonic balancer on mine last week because my old one was separating into two pieces and naturally, the pulley located in front of it had to be removed. The first time I turned on the A/C after this repair to try it out, the compressor clutch started acting up and smoke started coming from the compressor. Was this problem related to the bad harmonic balancer? The compressor is now locked up and most likely no good anymore. At least the pulley on it still spins. I ordered another compressor.
Last edited by FOURSPEEDVETTE; Mar 30, 2015 at 06:08 PM.
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Please explain this better or with any pictures of yours. I just replaced the harmonic balancer on mine last week because my old one was separating into two pieces and naturally, the pulley located in front of it had to be removed. The first time I turned on the A/C after this repair to try it out, the compressor clutch started acting up and smoke started coming from the compressor. Was this problem related to the bad harmonic balancer? The compressor is now locked up and most likely no good anymore. At least the pulley on it still spins. I ordered another compressor.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
The "frisbee" is the disc bolted to the front of your water pump pulley. It will not damage your ac compressor. I think it is just circumstantial that your ac compressor clutch failed. I have had the compressor clutches fail in both my 91 and my 96. These cars are getting age on them and old components are more prone to failure.
One thing had nothing to do w/the other. There should be no detriment to removing the "frisbee". FYI, it's a Harmonic DAMPER. A "balancer" can be found on a small block Ford, as that engine is externally balanced. The SBC is internally balanced and the front damper is neutral balanced....it doesn't "balance" anything. It's function is to dampen torsional twisting frequencies of the crank shaft as the firing pulses hit it, and twist it like a torsion bar spring. At certain RPM's the crank will start to twist/bounce back and forth and that uncontrolled twisting can cause breakage. The Harmonic Damper absorbs and prevents that.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
One thing had nothing to do w/the other. There should be no detriment to removing the "frisbee". FYI, it's a Harmonic DAMPER. A "balancer" can be found on a small block Ford, as that engine is externally balanced. The SBC is internally balanced and the front damper is neutral balanced....it doesn't "balance" anything. It's function is to dampen torsional twisting frequencies of the crank shaft as the firing pulses hit it, and twist it like a torsion bar spring. At certain RPM's the crank will start to twist/bounce back and forth and that uncontrolled twisting can cause breakage. The Harmonic Damper absorbs and prevents that.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
One thing had nothing to do w/the other. There should be no detriment to removing the "frisbee". FYI, it's a Harmonic DAMPER. A "balancer" can be found on a small block Ford, as that engine is externally balanced. The SBC is internally balanced and the front damper is neutral balanced....it doesn't "balance" anything. It's function is to dampen torsional twisting frequencies of the crank shaft as the firing pulses hit it, and twist it like a torsion bar spring. At certain RPM's the crank will start to twist/bounce back and forth and that uncontrolled twisting can cause breakage. The Harmonic Damper absorbs and prevents that.
but they say things come in three's fingers crossed for you
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