Original 65 300hp Harmonic Balancer?

[Jim V.]

According to the 65 judging manual...the originals did NOT have holes on the outside perimeter; non-corvette application did. This balancer is off of what I believe to be a very unmolested 300hp motor. Definate original broach, casting#s, original pistons/crank/bearings etc...Hmmmm....

Any wisdom of the ages out there?

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 65 300hp Harmonic Balancer?

Jim------

I have no doubt that the balancer is original to the car. I have said for a long time that I seriously doubted the contention that no original balancers used on Corvettes ever had the peripheral holes. I believe that BOTH types were used.

[Jack H.]

Re: Original 65 300hp Harmonic Balancer?

After +20 years of walking the scrap yards, the balancer you show (with 'woodpecker holes') can be seen on virtually every low HP 327 from the '66-67 era. Untouched originals from '65 and earlier look identical in construction but don't have the holes...

[Jim V.]

controversery...again

Dont you love this madness. Sorry Jack, but I have to agree with Joe on this one. This motor is stone cold original (original grease pen block markings, original cam, dated bearings...etc...). However, it is a late build 65 (June 30) which may explain the "woodpecker" holes?

Thanks.

[Eugene B.]

Re: controversery...again

Jim, et al.
Just returned from the garage to check the balancer on my original '65. Car is March 3 or 4 and engine is Feb. 22.

The harmonic balancer looks identical to the picture that you posted except it has NO holes.

Hope this information is helpful to the team.

Regards,
Gene