The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

[James S.]

On this 60 Vette the engine builder forgot to install the 1/8th inch spacer that is placed on the end of the crankshaft before pressing the harmonic balancer on, so the pulley was sitting too close to the block for the generator belt to align properly. Here's what I did to fix the problem without removing the balancer; a chore for sure with the engine, radiator, fan shroud, etc. already installed. The balancer has to be heated / expanded to press back onto the end of the crank shaft; a chore that would have been

I used three sets of 5/16th's washers that equaled 1/8th of an inch thick for the three bolt holes and attached them to the back of the pulley to take up that space; I had to buy three longer bolts to attach the pulley as the original bolts would not be long enough for proper torque. I then used a larger spacer (had to use a die grinder to grind a hole large enough) to fit around the lip that sits inside the balancer to take up that space to ensure the entire surface of the pulley would be flat when I torqued the three pulley bolts to the harmonic balancer. It fit like a champ; probably would not pass a Bloomington inspection, but this car will not be in that category anyways. Proof in the pudding will be when I fire the beast up and see if the pulley is true while spinning; I'm surmizing all will be okay because the pulley looked very flat and true.

I'll post pics tomorrow.

[David P.]

Re: The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

Hi Jim,
Sounds like you have made a lot of progress on the 60 since I saw it last summer when I picked up the new QuadraJet carb for the OHC Pontiac, I bought from you.

I'm working on a 66 Coupe right now.

Hope the washer setup saves you from having to pull the engine!

Thanks,
Alex

[James S.]

Re: The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

Hi Jim,
Sounds like you have made a lot of progress on the 60 since I saw it last summer when I picked up the new QuadraJet carb for the OHC Pontiac, I bought from you.

I'm working on a 66 Coupe right now.

Hope the washer setup saves you from having to pull the engine!

Thanks,
Alex

Hi Alex,

Thanks. How did the carb work out?

I was idle for a month or so because of family issues, but have made some progress. Yes, can you imagine the hassle that would have been pulling the balancer, etc., on a concourse restored engine and accessories!!! The engine builder has rebuilt a zillion Chevy's and he said he has never come a cross a spacer issue before. Is that spacer specific to the 60 Vette?

Are you restoring the 66?

I'll call you when the car is done. What is your personal e-mail address?

Thx,

Jim

[Clem Z.]

Re: The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

Hi Alex,

Thanks. How did the carb work out?

I was idle for a month or so because of family issues, but have made some progress. Yes, can you imagine the hassle that would have been pulling the balancer, etc., on a concourse restored engine and accessories!!! The engine builder has rebuilt a zillion Chevy's and he said he has never come a cross a spacer issue before. Is that spacer specific to the 60 Vette?

Are you restoring the 66?

I'll call you when the car is done. What is your personal e-mail address?

Thx,

Jim

the spacer makes up the difference because the water pump is moved out by the motor mount being installed between the water pump and the cylinder block.cylinder case for all you techies. once upon a time GM sold a pulley reinforcement that fit inside the crank pulley that may have worked in your case but i do not remember the thickness

[James S.]

Re: The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

the spacer makes up the difference because the water pump is moved out by the motor mount being installed between the water pump and the cylinder block.cylinder case for all you techies. once upon a time GM sold a pulley re enforcement that fit inside the crank pulley that may have worked in your case but i do not remember the thickness

Clem,

The book calls for a 1/8th inch spacer; it was left out, and I didn't want to pull the engine (all components connected now to include the challenging exhaust system). We discussed and as long as this correction is soliod and no distortion during engine rotation, we will go with this quick fix.

Thx,

Jim

[Mike M.]

Re: The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

Hi Alex,

Thanks. How did the carb work out?

I was idle for a month or so because of family issues, but have made some progress. Yes, can you imagine the hassle that would have been pulling the balancer, etc., on a concourse restored engine and accessories!!! The engine builder has rebuilt a zillion Chevy's and he said he has never come a cross a spacer issue before. Is that spacer specific to the 60 Vette?

Are you restoring the 66?

I'll call you when the car is done. What is your personal e-mail address?

Thx,

Jim

all the 55 V8 thru 62 vettes used the spacer.mike

[Clem Z.]

Re: The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

Clem,

The book calls for a 1/8th inch spacer; it was left out, and I didn't want to pull the engine (all components connected now to include the challenging exhaust system). We discussed and as long as this correction is soliod and no distortion during engine rotation, we will go with this quick fix.

Thx,

Jim

glad it worked out for you. the reinforcement plate i was referring to was a solid plate with the 3 bolt holes plus a hole for the crank bolt that was to be installed on the front side of the pulley to prevent it from cracking and coming off of the damper. my idea was to use this behind the pulley like your washers to space the pulley out.

[Dick W.]

Re: The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

I have not worked on one of those engines for quite a few years, but I believe that the pulley centers off the center hole in the balancer. Lots of luck

[Clem Z.]

Re: The Engine Builder FORGOT! I Improvised.

I have not worked on one of those engines for quite a few years, but I believe that the pulley centers off the center hole in the balancer. Lots of luck

yes the pulley has a "step" around the center bolt hole to center the pulley in the hole in the damper but i think that was there to make it easy for the pulley to be aligned with the 3 bolt holes in the damper during assy. JMHO