Bill, I understand what you're saying here, as I have a shop manual and have read the procedure for the swap, as well as the balance weights that are in the OE balancer. Are you familiar, however, with the procedure for an aftermarket balancer, such as an ATI? Does it have to be installed in a particular orientation?

 

If you are going to the trouble of removing the balancer, you might as well replace the oil pump and timing chain while you are in there. A camshaft would be a few more bolts after that...

 

Just picked up a powerbond HB. Gonna try to look for a ARP bolt today, and hopefully have it all ready to go.

I would love to do a cam and replace the other stuff but right now I'm a little low on mod money, so just the essentials for now.

 

I hear ya on the money part. Just do what's need for now to take care of business and start a fund for your future upgrades. This will make a good practice run.

 

I didn't learn about the balance deal till after I completed the job and mine is a 6 speed. Used a Dorman replacement balancer and I don't detect any sort of unusual vibration. Perhaps results may vary.

 

As far as "Timing the balancer to the related CrankShaft position", we need to understand a couple of terms. Torsional vibration and Radial vibration. The damper is installed to help eliminate "Torsional Vibration". When the engine goes into a power stroke, it tends to force the engine in a forward motion. Rotational wise making the engine tend to twist. The damper is there to help eliminate this not balance the radial vibration that would be due to an uneven distribution of mass as related to the crankshaft center of geometry. The correct clock position will be to find true TDC, and align the TDC mark on the Damper to the TDC indicator on the engine itself. Notice the term used,,,"Damper". This is exactly what the unit does. It dampens out torsional vibration. Now, Old school V8's were either internally or externally balanced. The 400 small block being externally balanced while the others were internally balanced. The weight was added to the flywheel which had a pin to ensure correct clock position. The Dampers were all keyed. The 454 also was externally balanced. Big weight on the flywheel. Balancer and damper are two different terms. The dampers' job is to eliminate Torsional Harmonics. The Ls series of engines are "Internally Balanced". How do I know this? ASE certified for 25 years and a level 3 ASNT vibration Analyst. Install the Damper to accomodate "Top Dead center". This is if the New Damper is marked with Degree indications. Then if you want to verify the computer is advancing the timing, it can be done with a simple Timing Light. If no mark, just install the damper and verify timing advance with your laptop. Good luck.

 

Straight from the CORVETTE SERVICE MANUAL!

Crankshaft Balancer Cleaning and Inspection


Clean the crankshaft balancer in solvent.
Clean the belt grooves of all dirt or debris with a wire brush.
Dry the crankshaft balancer with compressed air.
Inspect the crankshaft balancer for the following:
Loose or improperly installed balance weights, manual transmission applications A properly installed balance weight should be installed until flush or below flush with the face of the balancer.
Worn, grooved, or damaged hub seal surface A crankshaft balancer hub seal surface with excessive scoring, grooves, rust or other damage must be replaced. Minor imperfections on the hub seal surface may be removed with polishing compound or fine grade emery cloth.

Important
In order for the belt to track properly, the belt grooves should be free of all dirt or debris.


Dirty or damaged belt grooves The balancer belt grooves should be free of any nicks, gouges, or other damage that may not allow the belt to track properly. Minor imperfections may be removed with a fine file.
Worn, chunking or deteriorated rubber between the hub and pulley
Replacing the Crankshaft Balancer and Balance Weights - Corvette





Important
The position of the crankshaft balancer must be marked before removal, relative to the crankshaft. The balancer does not use a key or keyway for positioning. Mark or scribe the end of the crankshaft and the balancer before removal. The crankshaft balancer must be installed to the original position. If replacing the crankshaft balancer, note the location of any existing balance weights, if applicable. Crankshaft balancer weights must be installed into the new balancer in the same location as the old balancer. A properly installed balance weight will be either flush or below flush with the face of the balancer.


Check the crankshaft balancer weight holes for any existing balance weights.

Caution
Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.


Use a punch and position the balance weights to the bottom of the weight holes.
With a marking crayon, note the weight holes containing balance weights.
Lay the old crankshaft balancer on a bench or flat table. Rotate the old balancer until one of the marked balance weight holes is in the 12 o'clock position.
Lay the new crankshaft balancer on the bench next to the old balancer. Rotate the new balancer until one of the balance weight holes is in the 12 o'clock position.
With a marking crayon, mark the new balancer weight hole located in the 12 o'clock position.
Viewing the old balancer, note the position of the crankshaft-to-balancer alignment mark. Mark the new balancer in the same location.
Measure the distance from the top of the balance weights to the face of the old crankshaft balancer.
Record the readings.
Determine the proper balance weight size for the new balancer.
A balance weight hole depth that measures 13.0 mm (0.512 in), has a short balance weight in the hole.
A balance weight hole depth that measures 6.69 mm (0.263 in), has a medium balance weight in the hole.
A balance weight hole that depth measures 0.29 mm (0.011 in), has a long balance weight in the hole.
A short balance weight will measure 12.7 mm (0.5 in) in length.
A medium balance weight will measure 19.0 mm (0.75 in) in length.
A long balance weight will measure 25.4 mm (1.0 in) in length.
Insert new crankshaft balance weights of the proper size into the new balancer in the same location as with the old balancer. A properly installed balance weight will be either flush or below flush with the face of the balancer.

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Document ID# 822680
2003 Chevrolet Corvette


Engine BalancingThe 1997-2004 5.7L LS1/LS6 engine with crankshaft balancer is a balanced assembly. On manual transmission applications, the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate is also a balanced assembly. During the powertrain build process, balance weights may be added to the crankshaft balancer and/or flywheel as required.

In order to maintain engine/clutch assembly balance, it may be necessary to install or remove balance weights as detailed below:

Crankshaft Balancer
Existing balancer onto existing engine: The balancer position must be marked prior to removal and installed to the original position. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Removal .
New balancer onto an existing engine: Install the same size balance weights into the new balancer in the same location as the old component. Refer to Crankshaft Balancer Cleaning and Inspection .
Engine Flywheel

Important
The flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate are a balanced assembly and are not available as individual components. The pressure plate mounts or locates onto the flywheel via two dowel pins in the flywheel. If the pressure plate is not aligned properly onto the dowel pins and tightened down, the pins may bend and the plate may be incorrectly positioned which will effect component balance. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement .


Existing flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate assembly onto the existing engine: Flywheel position must be marked prior to removal and installed to the original position. Refer to Engine Flywheel Removal .
Existing flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate onto a new engine: Remove balance weights, if applicable from the flywheel.
New flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate assembly onto an existing engine: Do not transfer or install balance weights.
New flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate assembly onto a new engine: Do not install balance weights.

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Document ID# 892751
2003 Chevrolet Corvette