Harmonic Balancer wobble: *video*
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Replaced mine this past fall with a Powerbond unit that matched the OEM HB. Very happy with how true it runs.
The Dorman OEM unit was not available at any of the parts houses and only a few dealers had them on the shelf at a premium price. Wouldn't buy one sitting on the shelf for fear it would have the same issue in time. Called the factory directly and they were just scheduling a new run of them this past November. Hope they reworked the issue with the rubber isolator ring. There has been a lot of issues with these Dorman units not only on Vettes but on other GM engines.
The Dorman OEM unit was not available at any of the parts houses and only a few dealers had them on the shelf at a premium price. Wouldn't buy one sitting on the shelf for fear it would have the same issue in time. Called the factory directly and they were just scheduling a new run of them this past November. Hope they reworked the issue with the rubber isolator ring. There has been a lot of issues with these Dorman units not only on Vettes but on other GM engines.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Buy a new one before it falls off and either takes out everything in front of it or breaks the end of the crank off. I just bought another stock one when I changed mine. I paid $104 at the local dealer for it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 1
From: Sartell Minnesota
just go underdrive pulley. They will free up some power and no problems with the wobble anymore. I pulled my balancer when i did my engine build. mine was fine but i wanted to replace it anyway. I still charge just as good with the U/D pulley as i did with the stock one.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Siloam Springs Arkansas
Easy one 
The balancer has a rubber isolator ring that has started to shift away from the outer metal ring . Good to replace it with a 25% underdive and a two peice timing cover . That way if you ever want a cam , you not not have to re & re the steering rack again or remove the crank pulley
Thx
Manny@E.C.P
The balancer has a rubber isolator ring that has started to shift away from the outer metal ring . Good to replace it with a 25% underdive and a two peice timing cover . That way if you ever want a cam , you not not have to re & re the steering rack again or remove the crank pulley
Thx
Manny@E.C.P
BTW-Who has good prices for 2-piece timing covers? Thx
-Tim
Last edited by VETTHOG; Jan 31, 2009 at 07:05 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
I just had this fixed on my car a 2000 with 49,500 miles. The part is currently on national back order, but my mechanic finally found one at a dealer out-of-state. It took about a week to get the part through GM!
I didn't realize they start a new run of them back in November. That explains why the part is so hard to get right now.
Not a cheap repair.
I didn't realize they start a new run of them back in November. That explains why the part is so hard to get right now.
Not a cheap repair.
Last edited by 71vetteinva; Jan 31, 2009 at 07:14 PM.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Siloam Springs Arkansas
I just had this fixed on my car a 2000 with 49,500 miles. The part is currently on national back order, but my mechanic finally found one at a dealer out-of-state. It took about a week to get the part through GM!
I didn't realize they start a new run of them back in November. That explains why the part is so hard to get right now.
Not a cheap repair.
I didn't realize they start a new run of them back in November. That explains why the part is so hard to get right now.
Not a cheap repair.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge Ontario
St. Jude Donor '07
.Two piece timing cover Edlelbrock.
Thx and good luck with your project
Manny@E.C.P
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Siloam Springs Arkansas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 1
From: Sartell Minnesota
A new bolt from the dealer is like $10-15 if i remember right. Change the front seal too while you have the front timing cover available. It's the one that goes to the crank. I went with a TSP ported and shimmed LS6 oil pump and a LS2 timing set. The LS2 set is much stronger then the LS1 set and you dont have to grind the cover or double gasket it like you would with a Double timing set. That is like $25 or so from GM but i'm not 100% sure on that. Comes with new sprocket and chain. I wish i had gone with a two peice timing cover set
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Siloam Springs Arkansas
A new bolt from the dealer is like $10-15 if i remember right. Change the front seal too while you have the front timing cover available. It's the one that goes to the crank. I went with a TSP ported and shimmed LS6 oil pump and a LS2 timing set. The LS2 set is much stronger then the LS1 set and you dont have to grind the cover or double gasket it like you would with a Double timing set. That is like $25 or so from GM but i'm not 100% sure on that. Comes with new sprocket and chain. I wish i had gone with a two peice timing cover set
Would it be a good idea to change out the water pump gasket at the same time?
Last edited by VETTHOG; Feb 1, 2009 at 02:32 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge Ontario
St. Jude Donor '07
The OEM gasket's on the water pump are paper and tend to leak after time . The new ones are aluminum with a rubber surround . So ya changing them would be a good idea .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 1
From: Sartell Minnesota
hmm idk you may have to ask Gene Culley or go to the dealer yourself. I ordered a seal for the crank that goes on the cover from a local dealer. Maybe it's on a more broke down diagram. I just suggest changing it while your in there is all. You said 70k miles so it won't hurt Also i agree to get the new GM waterpump gaskets. They are aluminum and rubber and are MUCH better then the aftermarket paper ones
Also i agree to get the new GM waterpump gaskets. They are aluminum and rubber and are MUCH better then the aftermarket paper ones
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,811
Likes: 31
From: Minnetonka MN
St. Jude Donor '06
GET IT FIXED!!! i went thru the same thing. i now have an ATI harmonic balancer that is pinned, best way to go. a performance shop can get this done for around 300 labor and xxx for parts. figure about 700 or so all said an done. Also, i ended up using an ARP bolt ($25). expensive but worth it for me since i have a race motor).
Do not put this off, if that piece goes, your motor is in danger.
Aj
Do not put this off, if that piece goes, your motor is in danger.
Aj
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 1
From: Mohegan Lake New York
Harmonic balancer/vibration damper main job is to cancel harmonics/vibration in the rotating assembly(pistons,crankshaft ,rods ect) a very important job indeed, it seperating is a worry but the engine damage that can occur is possible and quite substantial(cracked crank spun bearings ect.) if this were my car the only way I'de drive it was if my garage were on fire and I had to drive it out do yourself a favorfix it or park it till you can
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,899
Likes: 0
Harmonic balancer/vibration damper main job is to cancel harmonics/vibration in the rotating assembly(pistons,crankshaft ,rods ect) a very important job indeed, it seperating is a worry but the engine damage that can occur is possible and quite substantial(cracked crank spun bearings ect.) if this were my car the only way I'de drive it was if my garage were on fire and I had to drive it out do yourself a favorfix it or park it till you can
