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Harmonic Balancer gone bad?

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Old Aug 13, 2023 | 11:19 AM
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Default Harmonic Balancer gone bad?

Well seems like my 05 is in need of a new Harmonic Balancer.
I would like to get this taken care of as soon as possible; already placed an order for an ARP bolt.
I'm curious to know what other parts are needed when replacing the HB.
Can someone supply me with a shopping list?
Thanks in advance.
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Old Aug 13, 2023 | 03:28 PM
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If you are doing is yourself, you will need:

1. New bolt; GM or ARP.
2. New balancer; I recommend Dayco or ATI.
3. New front cover seal for balancer.
4. Balancer install tool; Summit sells a very nice one.
5. Balancer puller.
6. Flywheel locking tool.

Probably a good idea to get some engine coolant as well.

It's not a difficult job, just a lot of work mainly to get everything out of the way to get to the balancer.
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Old Aug 13, 2023 | 08:14 PM
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Thanks!
I received the new bolt just yesterday; Went with an ARP branded one
Plan to order this front cover seal next:

Then on to purchasing a PowerBond PB1117SS.
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Old Aug 14, 2023 | 10:17 AM
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Get a friction washer, P/N 12674588. It goes behind the pulley. If you have an early production '05, there's a chance you don't have one. If you do, it's probably the old style with a rubber lip around the edge. It will usually come out attached to the pulley. Just make sure there's only one of them in there before you install the new pulley.
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Old Aug 14, 2023 | 10:27 AM
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I hear alot of talk about "pinning" the HB.
Anyone familiar with this? Any extra parts needed?
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Old Aug 14, 2023 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by classof05
I hear alot of talk about "pinning" the HB.
Anyone familiar with this? Any extra parts needed?
Pinning has been covered in many threads. It's probably best to refer to one of them.

It involves drilling a hole through your pulley into your crankshaft and inserting a pin to prevent rotation. No naturally-aspirated C6 was made with a pinned crank and the vast majority never spun a pulley. In my opinion, most of the spun pulleys you hear about are either 1) early '05s, or 2) replacement pulleys that were torqued incorrectly. The torque procedure is critical and can be difficult to do in the available space. I think it gets screwed up a lot.

Pinning is recommended if placing extra load on the pulley like with a supercharger, or if your pulley has spun before. Some owners do it as an insurance policy.
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Old Aug 14, 2023 | 10:43 AM
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Many of us have seen pulleys spin that were installed correctly, although not common in a regular street car. If a shop is doing it, they should know how to pin in. There are multiple methods, either will work.

I have the ATI pin kit, I always use their method.
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Old Aug 14, 2023 | 10:47 AM
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I have a photo of mine pinned, just before installing the balancer.


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Old Aug 14, 2023 | 10:48 AM
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Ahh…I understand now.
Definitely got to add that to the shopping list.
Actually ordered the gasket just last night.
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Old Aug 14, 2023 | 11:03 AM
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This is a common issue on the LS motors. It the cheap balancers, you can go back with a GM one but I would used a ATI balancer. You don't need to pin the crank though unless you are planning on supercharging your engine. If you are going to do that then you need to pin it. ATI sells a pin kit as well but when you buy your supercharger it should come as part of the kit.
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Old Aug 14, 2023 | 11:23 AM
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What do you guys think about the Powerbond brand balancer?
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Old Aug 16, 2023 | 12:45 PM
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Old Aug 16, 2023 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by classof05
What do you guys think about the Powerbond brand balancer?
Excellent replacement for stock.

I am currently running a Dayco Powerbond Race pulley on my Grand Sport.
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Old Aug 16, 2023 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Spaceme1117
Excellent replacement for stock.

I am currently running a Dayco Powerbond Race pulley on my Grand Sport.
I’ve been watching a bunch of videos about that brand pulley. Definitely plan to purchase one this weekend from Summit in McDonough, GA.

On another note, look what came in so far:



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Old Aug 18, 2023 | 02:15 PM
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If your already doing everything, why not just add a pin?
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Old Aug 18, 2023 | 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by flyingbunnys
If your already doing everything, why not just add a pin?
I definitely plan to. Will buy the pin when I purchase the pulley.
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Old Aug 19, 2023 | 07:35 PM
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Decided to post this as a reference for anyone that may need this in the near future:

ATI 918993: Crank Pin Drill Fixture Kit LS1/LS2 - JEGS
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To Harmonic Balancer gone bad?

Old Aug 21, 2023 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by flyingbunnys
If your already doing everything, why not just add a pin?
Because you do take a chance of messing up a crankshaft or if you are not careful getting metal in the oil pan. You should be fine if you are careful but why take the chance if you do not have to.
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 11:39 AM
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Now you have me worried. It’s not as if I’m doing the work myself though. Just nervous about the what if’s though.
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by classof05
Now you have me worried. It’s not as if I’m doing the work myself though. Just nervous about the what if’s though.
Mine was done by a shop, the car still runs.
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