Harmonic Balancer Video
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 4
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Harmonic Balancer Video
Hi All
2002 LS1, 60k. Read a lot of threads about a wobbling harmonic balancer and impending trouble. Here is a video of my engine that has a slight wobble. I would like some input from those more knowledgable. Is this a needs immediate attention issue? Or is this amount of wobble "ok"?
Thoughts? Video can be upped to 720p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLzWI7zfMGo
2002 LS1, 60k. Read a lot of threads about a wobbling harmonic balancer and impending trouble. Here is a video of my engine that has a slight wobble. I would like some input from those more knowledgable. Is this a needs immediate attention issue? Or is this amount of wobble "ok"?
Thoughts? Video can be upped to 720p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLzWI7zfMGo
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
It's not as bad as some I have seen and delt with "BUT" it will only get worse over time!
If you have the time to replace it I would recommend that you don't wait! Sooner the better! - You really don't want it to seperate or walk forward more, like mine did
Thanks,Matt
If you have the time to replace it I would recommend that you don't wait! Sooner the better! - You really don't want it to seperate or walk forward more, like mine did
Thanks,Matt
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 4
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Thanks Matt
I certainly do not want it to seperate/walk. I am trying to decide how long I can "wait" before I can get it done. I would like to leverage the labor for this repair into putting a cam in. But just not there yet on the research or funds. Of course with the cam comes all the other items to do at the same time (pumps, chains, etc) which leads to doing the heads, which leads to a clutch, etc.
I do not put many miles on the car, but just want to ensure I don't have the wobble bad enough that it screams...don't drive it until it is fixed. I have gotten mixed feedback from those who have seen it in person.
I certainly do not want it to seperate/walk. I am trying to decide how long I can "wait" before I can get it done. I would like to leverage the labor for this repair into putting a cam in. But just not there yet on the research or funds. Of course with the cam comes all the other items to do at the same time (pumps, chains, etc) which leads to doing the heads, which leads to a clutch, etc.
I do not put many miles on the car, but just want to ensure I don't have the wobble bad enough that it screams...don't drive it until it is fixed. I have gotten mixed feedback from those who have seen it in person.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Thanks Matt
I certainly do not want it to seperate/walk. I am trying to decide how long I can "wait" before I can get it done. I would like to leverage the labor for this repair into putting a cam in. But just not there yet on the research or funds. Of course with the cam comes all the other items to do at the same time (pumps, chains, etc) which leads to doing the heads, which leads to a clutch, etc.
I do not put many miles on the car, but just want to ensure I don't have the wobble bad enough that it screams...don't drive it until it is fixed. I have gotten mixed feedback from those who have seen it in person.
I certainly do not want it to seperate/walk. I am trying to decide how long I can "wait" before I can get it done. I would like to leverage the labor for this repair into putting a cam in. But just not there yet on the research or funds. Of course with the cam comes all the other items to do at the same time (pumps, chains, etc) which leads to doing the heads, which leads to a clutch, etc.
I do not put many miles on the car, but just want to ensure I don't have the wobble bad enough that it screams...don't drive it until it is fixed. I have gotten mixed feedback from those who have seen it in person.
I would monitor it but don't try to do any 140 MPH passes or extended hi RPM gears runs or continuous drag racing (Ex: keeping it at or above 6000 RPM in a certain gear for an extended period of time etc.)
If you decide to do it yourself you will save money - I did mine and it can be done. I even did a write-up with pics here on the forum.
Now if you can wait and do the H/C then do it or just do the balance - but as you probably know once the balancer is off the cam is just a step away - you do have to even worry about the lifters because they pull right up in the heads and stay there
If you do H/C you stock clutch should be fine to hold the 400 + RWHP, that can be done later (unless it has been beat on
) My buddies is holding his 2004's 559 RWHP MN6 just fine ( 19,000 miles only)Be careful and shoot me a PM anytime or here on the post for info on H/C -
What is your current set-up, or mods done already?
Thanks,Matt
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 4
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Thanks guys
I don't do any continous hi RPM driving. She gets a handful of 6k 1st gear RPM shifts a week. No track, no drags.
Current setup is in the sig. The basic stage 1 upgrades - intake, exhaust.
I don't do any continous hi RPM driving. She gets a handful of 6k 1st gear RPM shifts a week. No track, no drags.
Current setup is in the sig. The basic stage 1 upgrades - intake, exhaust.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
If I were you I would replace it for peice of mind. Yes, it is a pain in the ***. I had a friend whose balancer seperated and it trashed his motor. I replaced mine right after his motor blew because I didn't want to deal with it. I wanted to put a cam in at the time but didn't because I didn't have the cash. I now have peice of mind, but again just my .02.
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 606
Likes: 1
From: Waco Texas
If I were you I would replace it for peice of mind. Yes, it is a pain in the ***. I had a friend whose balancer seperated and it trashed his motor. I replaced mine right after his motor blew because I didn't want to deal with it. I wanted to put a cam in at the time but didn't because I didn't have the cash. I now have peice of mind, but again just my .02.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 331
From: Ocala FL
I have seen much worse in person and on video. Mine has a tad more wobble to it than yours does. I'm just taking the hit to the wallet and doing a cam and the HB now rather than later. I'm not willing to pay for the labor twice and since he's already going to be in there I figure "do it...to it!" I do know that things get really expensive when they really go bad.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 4
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Ok - Maybe I should have put up a poll. It is like 50/50 right now on what action to take. For now, the car doesn't get a lot of miles. I am going to do some research on the H/C setup and other items to make sure I get the most bang for the buck on the labor to get this thing replaced. I know many say to do it myself, but it is just not in my capabilities to do it. ALso taking a risk continuing to drive it. But knowing how I think, it will get done sooner rather than later. Don't like worring about things like this.
I appreciate all the help and if anyone has thoughts feel free to add them on.
I appreciate all the help and if anyone has thoughts feel free to add them on.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 4
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Agreed. The question has always been around when. Immediately? Or do I have time to plan it out a bit and decide on if I want to do additional upgrades. Right now I am getting a feeling for a plan for additional upgrades and costs. Then I can just do my own cost/benefit of just replacing it or doing something a little more fun. I will do something in the upcomming months.
