1961 solid lifter balancer

[Joe M.]

Found this being sold as a solid lifter 59-61 balancer. Is this correct? If not how does a genuine balancer differ?

Thanks,
Joe

[Ray C.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Hi! Joe

I believe that it is a balancer from a 348-CI engine. There should be no holes in the outer edge of the ring, only balance drilling.

Ray

[Joe M.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Ray,

If the balancer in the photo had only the shallow balance holes in the outer ring would that then be correct?

Thanks,
Joe

[Ray C.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Joe,

I just went out to the barn and crawled under my 61 270HP. The balancer has a hollow back with no spokes. It was hard to see, but there seemed to be a series of holes or drill points that circle the inner recess or next to where the balancer mounts to the crankshaft. The balancer pulley blocks the view from the front.

I am currently restoring a 61 fuelie (in need of a HP balancer) and can not get the 270HP on the lift. If we do not receive additional information, I will move the items from the lift area, raise the 270HP and take some pictures of the balancer from the bottom.

Ray

[James O.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

is that the same balancer used on a 1959 270 h.p.? it seems like a lot of us are looking for that same 3764318 balancer. they are impossible to find and it there does not appear to be a good repo. i just ordered the GM replacement #3896904 and would love to see your detailed photos and measurements on an original to see if i could modify the replacement to get it looking close..

[Loren L.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

It's a little hard from one picture, but it appears to be an initial "Goat Hill" imitation; if it is it will be 6 1/2" in diameter instead of just barely over 6"; if it was real it would also NOT have the holes in the outer ring.

[Brad K.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

I agree with Ray. The pulley pictured above is not for a small block. It for a 348. The OD of the crankshaft boss is too large (visually). A small block balancer boss OD is 1.75". In other words, the pictured balancer would not penetrate the timing chain cover on the 283 engine....it's too big.

[Ray C.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Pictures of the balancer from my 1961 270HP car. The inner side of the balancer is concaved and has four holes about 1/2" in size. You can see the threaded ends of the pulley bolts.

Ray

[Ray C.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Picture two:

[Ray C.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Picture three:

[Joe L.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Brad-----

The GM #3764318 balancer used for 59-61 SHP Corvettes was also used for 1959-61 Chevrolet with high performance (3X2) 348 cid engines.

[Brad K.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Joe,
As usual, you're right....What I should have said was that the pulley pictured earlier in this posting appears to fit something else other than a high horsepower Corvette and the 348 application....but I don't know what it is due to it's larger diameter crankshaft snout. Do you have any idea what it fits by looking at it?
Brad

[Joe L.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Brad------

I don't know what it's for. I suppose it's very possible that it's not even a Chevrolet engine.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Joe,

In your response to Brad, if you are refering to the photo I posted at the start of this thread, it is being represented as the correct balancer for solid lifter 283.

The photo is from a well respected corvette parts dealer who insists it is correct. Because everyone that posted agrees the balancer shown is not the correct balancer, I turned down the purchase. Again thanks for sharing your knowledge!

As someone mentioned in an earlier thread the dated "judging guide for 59/60 depicts a spoked balancer" so that is probably the dealers reference point.

Anyone,

Where did the spoked balancer get credibility as being correct for a 59/60,61 solid lifter engines as is supossedly shown in the older judging guide?

If the, "new guide was corrected" what evidence was offered to precipitate the change in the judging guide?

Ray, Brad thanks for the photos of the elusive balancer!

Joe

[Lou C.]

Re: 1961 solid lifter balancer

Can someone post a photo of a real 59-61 solid lifter balancer that is off the car?