1963 Harmonic balancer
On the return of an enjoyable road trip to southern Idaho to find the spud farmer I purchased my FI coupe from, I found my balancer about to launch it self by making lots of noise. I at first in a fit of denial thought it was the water pump pulley because I had a spare in my inventory and it was an easy repair. After driving my good friend's 72 back to Lakewood to pick up the pulley and heading back to Carbondale, Co. and removing the fan and pulley, I had the crank pulley and balancer fall off onto the floor. Thanks to Hagerty's gold policy towing I now have Fuely safe in the shop and am planning a new heart transplant with the original compression etc. Anyway, after searching for a finned balancer, I have found that Paragon and Keen has repos and I wonder if any of you can tell me who makes them and if they are imported. I don't think that I want to put another used one on the auto even though the one that failed me must have had at least 50000 miles on it. It appears to be real wallowed out inside and I can't imagine how long it has been running loose like that. One thing I love about that old car is that it has never left me on the side of the road in some lonely stretch of some lonely state of some lonely highway in the 100000 miles I have driven it. This road trip was only about 2000 miles. I trust that one or more of you experts will know where these finned pulleys are made and can let me know and even how they may judge if possible. Thanks in advance for your time. Paul
-
It's a good life!
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
In 1963 the 340 hp and 360 hp engines had a bolt holding the balancer on the 300 hp and 250 hp did not have the bolt. If you have the original crank in the engine and the engine is actually for a fuelie it should be threaded for the bolt. I put a bolt on my 300 hp engine when I had it rebuilt as I wasn't comfortable with the factory method. It is also much easier to install the balancer using the bolt and not pounding it on. I cannot help you on the reproduction balancers I haven't seen them. Originals on eBay are not cheap and you have to check their condition.Comment
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
Sorry for leaving that vital part out. The remaining portion of the bolt was just a sharp piece and no washer was left anywhere. I will shoot a photo tomorrow of the remains of the bolt as it sure was a surprise to me to see.It's a good life!
Comment
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
Don't scrap your original balancer. You can have it refurb by the Damper Doc. I did this to my 63 340 hp car.Comment
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
Good thing it fell off in the garage. I had one fall off my '59 270hp while driving down the highway. Heard a big bang, then saw this orange and black thing in my door miiror on the ground, and then it passed me and landed in the median. Took a while to find it in the tall grass.
Right, only the SHP had the bolt. Not sure if you got the bolt out or not.........If not, is there enough broken bolt there to grab it and remove it? If not it sounds like a job for CRC Freeze-Off(great stuff!), and a small cold chisel and hammer around the edges of the bolt to back it out a little at a time until you can get a vise-grip on it.
I agree with Don. Don't buy a repro, it won't be the same. If you can wait a while, send it to Damper Doctor in CA. Call him and tell him about the condition of the internal wear. He should be able to repair it with some machining. He can also completely rebuild the balancer with new rubber vulcanizing. His process is quite a good repair.
I recently sent him a original '61 FI balancer for repair and it had some internal wear. He repaired it. Important on these early fuelies as there is no bolt. However, I had the crank drilled and tapped for the 7/16-20 bolt for peace of mind, as well as a easier way to install the balancer with a threaded rod tool I made.
RichComment
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
Nice post Rich
the damper doc turned mine around in one week. I have same issue with it being loose. Fortunate mine did not come off while driving as well.Comment
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
...hard to believe the bolt could break unless the balancer ID isn't snug on the crankshaft OD. It should be a slight interference fit. Is it? If not there is something wrong with the crank OD or balancer ID. Both should be measured with a mic and checked for comformance with diamater, taper, and out-of round.
The bolt should be Grade 8 and torqued to 80 lb-ft.
DukeComment
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
Paul,
Call Ron C. he might have an extra one, stay original, no foreign crap.
Unfortunately about 4 months back I sold the 65 dated one I had that had been rebuilt. Totally renewed sold for $225 to a FORUM member who had advertised on here needing one so I helped him out.
Good luck with your beautiful car. I remember so long ago when I helped you out big time on that car!!!
JimmyComment
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
I won't put any import balancer on it as I drive it too much. Duke, the inside is wallowed out big time and I didn't know if they were able to repair that or not. I will call dampner doc and talk to him. I will also call Ron C. Jimmy and see if he has anything that can help me out and yes you have helped me out big time many times and I am thankful to you. Thanks for letting me know about the repo balancers and I won't be putting any of them on any time in the future. I can't seem to upload photos like I used to and I don't know what I am doing or not doing right.It's a good life!
Comment
-
Re: 1963 Harmonic balancer
The Damper Doc says to send it out and he will tell me is he can repair it so thanks for the good referral.It's a good life!
Comment
Comment