Harmonic balancer - Installation

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Nov 25, 2024 | 09:07 AM

Bandit 2010

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Racer

Joined: Dec 2008

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Harmonic balancer - Installation

Harmonic balancer Bolt ? Should one use red lock tight when installing ? told to torque to 75 ft lbs ? Anyone have any experience with this ? thanks

Nov 25, 2024 | 03:36 PM

Bandit 2010

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 401

Likes: 18

thanks guess no one here has any experience with installing a balancer bolt ? thanks anyway try elesewhere for an answer

Jan 3, 2025 | 05:52 PM

jrodgers

3rd Gear

Joined: Jan 2025

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From: St. Clair, Missouri

Harmonic Dampener

I replaced the harmonic dampener on my C5. I installed a new ARP bolt. When installing I used red lock tight and torqued the bolt to 240 ft lbs per the instruction sheet that came with the dampener.

Jun 13, 2025 | 09:44 AM

Orion2011

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 1,191

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From: Shelbyville Kentucky

ARP bolt with ARP lube torque to 240 ft-lbs.

Jul 25, 2025 | 10:21 PM

Rebelyell

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2025

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandit 2010

Harmonic balancer Bolt ? Should one use red lock tight when installing ? told to torque to 75 ft lbs ? Anyone have any experience with this ? thanks

I know this is an older thread but thought I'd try to bring some clarity with experience.
I just looked in my GM Powertrain service manual covering the newest iteration of Gen I sbc: RPO L31 Vortec 5.7L aka iron head Vortec 350.

Crankshaft Balancer Bolt torque spec is 70 lb ft Repeat 70 lb ft *** AND ALSO: NO thread locker is recommended Repeat NO Thread Locker

There's little difference between C3-era 350 crank snout and/or damper/balancer hub and those of L31. Seems tightening balancer aka damper bolt to 240 ft-lb goes beyond excessive and may damage/strip threads in crank snout. FWIW, first several years of sbc had absolutely NO bolt & NO bolt-Hole at all; balancer was merely pressed on.

** the above is Not intended for Gen III or IV or V motors; the above is for GEN I and II only.

Last edited by Rebelyell; Jul 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM.