Harmonic balancer failure
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Houston Tx
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Houston Tx
Couple of more dumb questions. I might be over my head with this repair, but with parts laying all over the garage it is a little to late to worry about that.
Why do I need to loosen the timing chain cover to center the seal? Can't I just assume it was right from the factory and install the new seal?
What is the proper orientation of the seal? My seal came out with the balancer, but it was loose and I failed to observe the orientation. When it is installed should I be looking at the flat side or the cupped side?
The factory balancer had some type of plastic/rubber and metal ring that fit between the balancer and the crank. Actually the crank fits through this. The new summit balancer does not have this and it doesn't look like the original would even fit on the Summit balancer. What to do here?
Thanks in advance!
Why do I need to loosen the timing chain cover to center the seal? Can't I just assume it was right from the factory and install the new seal?
What is the proper orientation of the seal? My seal came out with the balancer, but it was loose and I failed to observe the orientation. When it is installed should I be looking at the flat side or the cupped side?
The factory balancer had some type of plastic/rubber and metal ring that fit between the balancer and the crank. Actually the crank fits through this. The new summit balancer does not have this and it doesn't look like the original would even fit on the Summit balancer. What to do here?
Thanks in advance!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
Couple of more dumb questions. I might be over my head with this repair, but with parts laying all over the garage it is a little to late to worry about that.
Why do I need to loosen the timing chain cover to center the seal? Can't I just assume it was right from the factory and install the new seal?
What is the proper orientation of the seal? My seal came out with the balancer, but it was loose and I failed to observe the orientation. When it is installed should I be looking at the flat side or the cupped side?
The factory balancer had some type of plastic/rubber and metal ring that fit between the balancer and the crank. Actually the crank fits through this. The new summit balancer does not have this and it doesn't look like the original would even fit on the Summit balancer. What to do here?
Thanks in advance!
Why do I need to loosen the timing chain cover to center the seal? Can't I just assume it was right from the factory and install the new seal?
What is the proper orientation of the seal? My seal came out with the balancer, but it was loose and I failed to observe the orientation. When it is installed should I be looking at the flat side or the cupped side?
The factory balancer had some type of plastic/rubber and metal ring that fit between the balancer and the crank. Actually the crank fits through this. The new summit balancer does not have this and it doesn't look like the original would even fit on the Summit balancer. What to do here?
Thanks in advance!
You should be looking at the flat part of the seal and you can do without the friction washer especially if it doesn't fit.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Houston Tx
Big thanks to all of you for your advice and assistance in this job. Car is back together late today and there are no leaks or issues. Time will tell if there will be any seepage from the timing cover seal, but I am going to be optimistic for now. Thanks again to all!
Pro
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 678
Likes: 12
From: Middle-O-Nowhere
I have replaced no less than 75 front covers on LS motors and have never used an alignment tool. Nor have I had one leak. Put a small bead of RTV on both corners of the oil pan gasket where the front cover gasket and pan gasket meet. Leaving the front cover bolts loose, install the HB. Tighten the front cover bolts. Make sure the gap in both lower corners of the front cover are equal. AFTER you have tightened the front cover bolts, you then tighten the two oil pan bolts.
Make sure you bake the balancer in the oven for 10-15 minutes at about 180*. Also, put antiseeze on the crank snout and hub of the balancer. It will then slide right on.
And never ever replace the HB without replacing the crank seal. You will regret it.
Make sure you bake the balancer in the oven for 10-15 minutes at about 180*. Also, put antiseeze on the crank snout and hub of the balancer. It will then slide right on.
And never ever replace the HB without replacing the crank seal. You will regret it.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
this
the best explanation of their proper use is found in your factory service manual on page 6-92 of the 05 manual and found on different pages in other years which shouldn't be too difficult to find on line here
