Harmonic balancer question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
Harmonic balancer question
I've read a lot about harmonic balancer problems since I joined the CF family. I have had 25+ company cars over the years, generally putting somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 miles on them before my next new one. Until I joined CF, I had never heard of a harmonic balancer, obviously never had a problem with one, but they seem to be a somewhat common problem on vettes.
Is there some reason why vettes seem to have problems with them more so than other vehicles?
Is there some reason why vettes seem to have problems with them more so than other vehicles?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter Florida
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
If I were an automotive/mechanical engineer I could probably speak with greater authority. Us electrical engineers can only observe. And I observe that the LSx series engine is the only one I've ever seen with a lower pully that lacks a notch or other anti-rotational keying mechanism. The only thing keeping it from twisting around on the crankshaft and destroying all valves & pistons is a stout one-time bolt -- a friction fit. I don't care if you chrome the damn thing, it's still a POS design. I'm frankly amazed there are as few HB problems as there are. The sole virtue of this design is that it's a cash cow for Chevy service managers everywhere.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter Florida
If I were an automotive/mechanical engineer I could probably speak with greater authority. Us electrical engineers can only observe. And I observe that the LSx series engine is the only one I've ever seen with a lower pully that lacks a notch or other anti-rotational keying mechanism. The only thing keeping it from twisting around on the crankshaft and destroying all valves & pistons is a stout one-time bolt -- a friction fit. I don't care if you chrome the damn thing, it's still a POS design. I'm frankly amazed there are as few HB problems as there are. The sole virtue of this design is that it's a cash cow for Chevy service managers everywhere.
Excellent recap and analysis. Except GM didn't get my cash, ATI and my local Corvette shop did.There's no way I was gonna give them a second chance with that stock POS.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 171
From: Vancouver Island
If I were an automotive/mechanical engineer I could probably speak with greater authority. Us electrical engineers can only observe. And I observe that the LSx series engine is the only one I've ever seen with a lower pully that lacks a notch or other anti-rotational keying mechanism. The only thing keeping it from twisting around on the crankshaft and destroying all valves & pistons is a stout one-time bolt -- a friction fit. I don't care if you chrome the damn thing, it's still a POS design. I'm frankly amazed there are as few HB problems as there are. The sole virtue of this design is that it's a cash cow for Chevy service managers everywhere.
Last edited by v26278; Apr 5, 2014 at 12:20 AM.
