Harmonic Balancer clearance
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Harmonic Balancer clearance
Hi,
A bud of mine is swapping out the 350 in his (early) C4 and replacing it with a crate 383 (Stroker) non injected motor.
The clearance between the harmonic balancer and the front cross-member is only about 5 mm.
1/- Is this Okay? or
2/- How can he get more clearance? or
3/- Can he swap out the harmonic balancer for a thinner one? or
4/- Is there another solution?
A bud of mine is swapping out the 350 in his (early) C4 and replacing it with a crate 383 (Stroker) non injected motor.
The clearance between the harmonic balancer and the front cross-member is only about 5 mm.
1/- Is this Okay? or
2/- How can he get more clearance? or
3/- Can he swap out the harmonic balancer for a thinner one? or
4/- Is there another solution?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
If car is running probably, the crossmember and engine aren't going to move. The C beam locates the transmission to the differential. Indirectly it locates the engine on the crossmember since the engine bolts directly to the transmission. If the belt runs true it's should be ok. If pulleys have belt not tracking in a straight line you will need to find out why.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,481
Likes: 566
From: Clearwater Florida
….. To be on the absolute safe side , he could run an aftermarket Damper like the ATI Super damper … Its easy to say that the engine/trans won't move but he's putting a stroker motor in for reasons other than having extra torque for hauling groceries … so , how much it'll rock and roll depends on the ultimate usage …..
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Is this 5 mm with new motor mounts? That's about what I have on my harmonic damper, and my motor mounts are not new. That's just enough to slide my belt into place. I doubt that even a hot 383 would move the engine that far!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have a 383 in my 88. Running a 8" balancer, no clearance issue at all. Looks closer than it really is.
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