harmonic balance question?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: MoVal California
harmonic balance question?
so im donig a head gasket, timing chain and seals etc. i figured since im taking half the engine out, i might as well do those as well.. now im trying to pull the harmonic balance off at the moment, and it seems that i have no room what so ever to take it off with the pulley puller tool etc. so im guessing is that i have to take the engine out? but i would rather not go that route if i dont have to. what do you guys suggest? if i take out the engine then i can use all the gaskets etc in the engine... idk, im frustrated at the moment as well(sorry) but that balance is bugging me... well thank you for your interest and time, and i look forward to your responses... again thank you. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
So are we
Year model and engine would help when seeking advice?
The ESP is still on holidays
In any case for the work you are doing, having the engine out and on a stand
makes life easier than trying to work in the space in front of the engine
For exp;
you have to lower the oil pan to get the timing cover off to change timing set
Could also consider the freeze plugs while engine out of car especially the ones that can't be
changed in the car; the one behind flywheel and the ones behind the engine mounts
Year model and engine would help when seeking advice?
The ESP is still on holidays
In any case for the work you are doing, having the engine out and on a stand
makes life easier than trying to work in the space in front of the engine
For exp;
you have to lower the oil pan to get the timing cover off to change timing set
Could also consider the freeze plugs while engine out of car especially the ones that can't be
changed in the car; the one behind flywheel and the ones behind the engine mounts
Last edited by rodj; Jan 5, 2012 at 08:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 108
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From: MoVal California
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
is car in gear / park brake on to prevent it?
(The big bolt in center of crankshaft is out?)
In some cars need to remove the engine mount bolt(s) and jack engine up slightly in order to get room for the puller to work
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 108
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From: MoVal California
yeah the engine is still able to turn over, and the car is not in gear but i did have parking brakes on... the big bolt in the center is off, as well as the belt pulley and the three bolts to that is as well... what im looking at is a disc like behind the belt pulley... when im trying to pull that out, it just clunks in the rear of the engine? i took the parking brakes off, and same, still clunks and not coming out... im totally stumped on this, i hope the block isnt bad...
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Kind of confused. You don't seem to know for sure what engine you have, yet you have it apart? If you are down to the harmonic balancer, it can be pulled with the engine in the car. I have a puller/installer kit and never had an issue with the engine turning over. If you do have a six speed you could put the car in 6th gear and set the parking brake and that should keep it from turning over.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: MoVal California
oh sorry, what i meant is that i can still crank the engine, but the disc will not turn if i try to do it with out a tool... its just that i cant get the disc off... but yea... im not sure what engine i have, but i took it a part already... im just wondering if its suppose to make that clunk sound in the back of the engine when your about to pull it out? i mean i got it out somewhat, but not all the way, im using a snap on 3 prong puller a thingy-ma-bob-ber... but yea... sorry if im confusing you all... i just never done this type of engine before... i have done this type of work in the pass with 4cly and 6cly... but never a v8 in a cramped engine bay...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
If balancer is frozen to the crank then usually balancer puller tool and crankshaft
will turn together when you try to wind the balancer off.
If this is happening remove the easiest to access spark plug and jam 4ft of 1/4 or 3/8" nylon rope in the cylinder.( tie end off so it doesn't fall in cylinder)
Slowly turn removal tool ( and crankshaft) in correct direction until it comes to a halt.
Engine can no longer turn
but if balancer is stuck real hard you are going to need a extra long bar on the tool
to crack the balancer loose
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hi
You can do the job with the engine in the car, maybe take the cooling fan's off if you need the room. just use the bolts supplied to bolt to the ballancer and get a friend to use a large screwdriver to stop the flex plate or flywheel from moving. It is pretty straight forward but make sure you clean the crankshaft when re-assembling it.
It can be easy to strip the crankshaft thread so take care, make sure you don't try to force the harmonic ballancer back on with the thread in just a turn or so.
You can do the job with the engine in the car, maybe take the cooling fan's off if you need the room. just use the bolts supplied to bolt to the ballancer and get a friend to use a large screwdriver to stop the flex plate or flywheel from moving. It is pretty straight forward but make sure you clean the crankshaft when re-assembling it.
It can be easy to strip the crankshaft thread so take care, make sure you don't try to force the harmonic ballancer back on with the thread in just a turn or so.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
I suggest you do yourself a favor and get the '90 Factory Service Manual. Don't waste your money on Haynes or Chilton's. If you are going to be doing work on your car, this book will be a great help.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: MoVal California
yeah i am using the top one, but it seems stuck... i guess it might be seized..
yea.. i learned that the chiltons dont tell you anything.. i need the one you recommended...
but ill try and take some pics of it soon, so i can post it.
again thank you for all your help and information, i really do appreciate it.
yea.. i learned that the chiltons dont tell you anything.. i need the one you recommended...
but ill try and take some pics of it soon, so i can post it.
again thank you for all your help and information, i really do appreciate it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 312
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From: state of insanity
AT RISK OF BEING CONSIDERED RUDE, THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE RIGHT JOB. IF YOUR NOT SURE CONSULT A REPAIR MANUAL. IF YOUR STILL NOT SURE , CONSULT A MECHANIC. WATCH A YOUTUBE VIDEO. WHILE WE APPRECIATE DOING YOUR OWN REPAIRS AND LEARNING IN THE PROCESS,LIKE I TAUGHT MY SON, DOING ANYTHING YOU HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE IS GREAT, JUST READ UP ABOUT IT FIRST.A LITTLE CORRECT KNOWLEDGE GOES A LONG WAYS.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 108
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From: MoVal California
@mtnmaunt - yeah i understand... i have watched some vids and some reading, but its just puzzling me at the moment with the disc...
here is a pic of the disc that im talking about, dont mind the liquid, i just sprayed some wd40 on it as i was suggested to do so.
here is a pic of the disc that im talking about, dont mind the liquid, i just sprayed some wd40 on it as i was suggested to do so.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 105
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From: El Paso TX
please take a pic of the front and center. and also a pic of the intake and valve covers so somebody may be able to help identify the engine for you. thx
ps PB Blaster is much better than WD40
oops: actually an image of the stamp on the block -I believe the front right corner will identify the block, or just the numbers will do - either way
ps PB Blaster is much better than WD40
oops: actually an image of the stamp on the block -I believe the front right corner will identify the block, or just the numbers will do - either way
Last edited by 95tripleblack; Jan 6, 2012 at 01:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: MoVal California
please take a pic of the front and center. and also a pic of the intake and valve covers so somebody may be able to help identify the engine for you. thx
ps PB Blaster is much better than WD40
oops: actually an image of the stamp on the block -I believe the front right corner will identify the block, or just the numbers will do - either way
ps PB Blaster is much better than WD40
oops: actually an image of the stamp on the block -I believe the front right corner will identify the block, or just the numbers will do - either way
Click on this to watch the video:
but yeah, that clunking sound in the back is kind of the same clunk sound i hear from the rear of the engine when i tried to take out the disc... like the crank is moving back and forward? but i will get the pictures of the top right numbers and the disc.
Last edited by ayang951; Jan 6, 2012 at 03:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 108
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From: MoVal California
i started to scrub off the gunk from the block, but i didnt see any numbers, just some circles.. ill keep scrubbing off the gunk until i see one and ill post it, but for the mean time, i have gotten the pictures of the front of that troublesome disc...
