Harmonic Balancer

[Wayne G.]

60 290hp

How is the balancer attached to the crank?

I pulled the pulley off to clean off the grease and paint it. I want to do a adjustment set/check of the lifters as I have easy access now to turn the motor and well to my surprise no main bolt.

Uh what holds this baby onto the crank, I can see it is keyed but no bolt? Am I missing something, are there set screws on the side? Pressed on?

How would I pull it. I may want to change front and main seals at this time and I am so close I would like to drop the pan to paint it and reseal it as appears like it can be dropped with the motor in the car.

Are there split main seals on the crank front and back? I don't really feel I have leaks but for sure the oil pain could use a new one.

Also since its related what are the timing tag line increments? (is timing 14 on the FI 290hp?)

thank you...

[Joe L.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

60 290hp

How is the balancer attached to the crank?

I pulled the pulley off to clean off the grease and paint it. I want to do a adjustment set/check of the lifters as I have easy access now to turn the motor and well to my surprise no main bolt.

Uh what holds this baby onto the crank, I can see it is keyed but no bolt? Am I missing something, are there set screws on the side? Pressed on?

How would I pull it. I may want to change front and main seals at this time and I am so close I would like to drop the pan to paint it and reseal it as appears like it can be dropped with the motor in the car.

Are there split main seals on the crank front and back? I don't really feel I have leaks but for sure the oil pain could use a new one.

Also since its related what are the timing tag line increments? (is timing 14 on the FI 290hp?)

thank you...

Wayne------


The balancer is a press fit on the crank. No retaining bolt was originally used.

You can use a balancer removal tool to remove the balancer. However, with no crank snout tapping for a bolt (as many 62-68 small blocks have and all 1969+ small block cranks have), you must, unfortunately, use "impactive force" (i.e. pounding it on)to reinstall the balancer.

The front crank seal presses into the timing cover and is a "full round" seal. The rear crank seal is a 2 piece neoprene seal.

Timing tab marks represent 2 degree increments.

[Philip P.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Wayne,
I was going to remove my harmoic balancer as the spacer was missing, I was told to drill and tap the crank and install a bolt as there is a real possiblity of the balancer not fitting as tight once it was removed and replaced and could come off and you can imagine the problems with that.
My information is from a well respected Corvette restorer.
my 2 cents
Phil

[Wayne G.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Wayne,
I was going to remove my harmoic balancer as the spacer was missing, I was told to drill and tap the crank and install a bolt as there is a real possiblity of the balancer not fitting as tight once it was removed and replaced and could come off and you can imagine the problems with that.
My information is from a well respected Corvette restorer.
my 2 cents
Phil

Ouch that is what I was afraid of. I would think it would need to see the machine shop, if I went that far, I think the heads would see a rework and harden valve seats and new seals. Also just get it tanked and cleaned all up. How does one say MO MONEY - lol...

Well at least I can see that it has a pretty clean hole that would drill on center from the crank on the lathe process.

JB WELD? hehehe I was waiting to read you say freeze it and or heat the crank then slam it on.... I remember having to take my performance balancer on my 82 and heat it in the oven ( sort of funny doing it but it worked ) for a few minutes and if I recall like 300 derees and then having to get it on the crank fast, I did not understand why they did that when it has a bolt. Hardest part was getting gloves to hold that hot thing, we ended up taking the motor on the engine stand and facing her straight up in the air to get it on. Something I just should of had the machine shop do, but I did not have the new balancer and wanted a nice index style one.

So then how did you install the front bolt, thru the main pulley,?

I read and have seen the spacer, What is the purpose of it? Where does it go...?

I had just talked to someone that said there was a tool to install it, probably why the scew holes on the block...

Errr guess I could still work the oil pan down and reseal it. Oh well decisions decisions...

[Philip P.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

The spacer makes up for the front motor mount, that helps to align the belts. It can be done in the car I have a procedure somewhere will try to find it.
Attached are some pictures of the procedure.
Phil

[Wayne G.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

The spacer makes up for the front motor mount, that helps to align the belts. It can be done in the car I have a procedure somewhere will try to find it.
Attached are some pictures of the procedure.
Phil

Great photos. Maybe a right angle drill could make it a bit easier?
Plus of course a could new drill and some grease and oil...

That is real real tempting as with the age of the car I just feel the timing cover is dripping and to get all that oil again on the parts is not pretty.

Just fear something going wrong...

I am gonna sleep on that one, but leaning towards getting it done.
Did you take the time to redo the balancer? I don't know about mine I feel the oil and or grease crup really protected it more than did it harm, but have read were she should not get oil on it? I see that would have to be done by a pro, one since it needs to be pressed and riveted, and well to rather have that done with someone who has the experience. Stating to see what a driver vs. a trailer queen is really all about, maybe just stick to driving my 82's and local driving shows for this one?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[Philip P.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Below are the instructions that I got.
As for the rebuilding of the balancer well it is 50+ years old. I have never seen one come apart but have heard of it, but I would "guess" it depends on what type of driving that the car will be subjected to .
Bolts(61-62) are aviailable from all the sources ie Corvette Central , Ecklers etc..
Hope this helps..
Phil

[John H.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

I think the heads would see a rework and harden valve seats

So then how did you install the front bolt, thru the main pulley,?

I read and have seen the spacer, What is the purpose of it? Where does it go...?

Wayne -

Don't waste your money on hardened valve seats - they aren't necessary, and you risk ruining a good set of heads.

The balancer bolt fits through the crank pulley, and uses a large, thick washer to spread the load on the face of the pulley.

The 1/8" spacer goes between the front of the crank sprocket and the back end of the balancer; it compensates for the 1/8"-thick motormount bracket between the water pump and the block.

[Wayne G.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Below are the instructions that I got.
As for the rebuilding of the balancer well it is 50+ years old. I have never seen one come apart but have heard of it, but I would "guess" it depends on what type of driving that the car will be subjected to .
Bolts(61-62) are aviailable from all the sources ie Corvette Central , Ecklers etc..
Hope this helps..
Phil

Harmonic balancer
I used a 25/64 *final* drill; then a 7/16-20 tap, initially a pipe or tapered
type, then a bottoming tap for the final 1/2 inch.
Quality taps are important - there's some junk floating out there.

up and put at least 3/4 inch of thread engagement into it.
I'm afraid that I don't remember what length I wound up with.
Remember to account for a nice thick washer under the bolt head; use a
good-quality #8 bolt.

Yes I understand all this.

One would think that by now people would have figured out QUALITY items are important, we waste, we toss, we get another one, Just were di this problem start?

I would take a old shcool anything over the worlds sad sad ways anyday!

Many thanks still not sure I will go this route. I am gonna start her and see if its leaking and if not leave it for now. I think later it she does cause issues I will just pull the motor and trans and go to town. Much quicker and better quality results this way. I would have a much nicer detailed motor and engine compartment.

[Wayne G.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Wayne -

Don't waste your money on hardened valve seats - they aren't necessary, and you risk ruining a good set of heads.

The balancer bolt fits through the crank pulley, and uses a large, thick washer to spread the load on the face of the pulley.

The 1/8" spacer goes between the front of the crank sprocket and the back end of the balancer; it compensates for the 1/8"-thick motormount bracket between the water pump and the block.

Thanks I understand the harmonic. So for the lead issue of the fuel if I run good premium and the marvel oil or a top cylinder oil as I have we should be ok...I was going to get some of the real lead stuff but its rather expensive, I have run the car at around 10 or so timing so it would not ping, not looking to smoke the tires. Just a driver and looker...

[John H.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

So for the lead issue of the fuel if I run good premium and the marvel oil or a top cylinder oil as I have we should be ok..

Wayne -

There is no "lead issue" - that's scare-hype from the marketers who want you to buy their liquid miracle to prevent something from happening that isn't going to happen anyway. You don't need any other whizbang top cylinder elixirs either - just put premium in it and drive it.

[Wayne G.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Wayne -

There is no "lead issue" - that's scare-hype from the marketers who want you to buy their liquid miracle to prevent something from happening that isn't going to happen anyway. You don't need any other whizbang top cylinder elixirs either - just put premium in it and drive it.

Sweet!

Are you the person who has written some of those great tune up articles? Say on timing and others?

[Richard M.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Wayne, This post has a little story of how my balancer fell off


John, and many others here are extremely experienced, and we're really fortunate to have them here.

copy/paste & Google search this string:

"John Hinckley" Corvette AND Camaro

you'll see what I mean.

Rich
p.s. I see you've just joined us recently......WELCOME!

[Wayne G.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Wayne, This post has a little story of how my balancer fell off


John, and many others here are extremely experienced, and we're really fortunate to have them here.

copy/paste & Google search this string:

"John Hinckley" Corvette AND Camaro

you'll see what I mean.

Rich
p.s. I see you've just joined us recently......WELCOME!

Ah check my one post I had asked if John is the MAN! I have read every single one of his articles, even printed most and placed in my shop manuals, tunning books ( I have a EBL, ecu on my one 82 Crossfire Vette its all tricked out) and if he's the one that did the great HOW TO's --- SWEET SWEET READS! Very glad he shares his knowledge, that is a real blessing!

I am new here, but not new to Vette's and cars. Thanks and great to be here, I have quickly learned about the forum and have started to find the answers to the many questions I have and others have already asked...

I don't like to reinvent the wheel so I may ask a few to many questions sometimes... but will try and search more as I am fining lots of great answers here.

thanks!

[Terry M.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Ah check my one post I had asked if John is the MAN! I have read every single one of his articles, even printed most and placed in my shop manuals, tunning books ( I have a EBL, ecu on my one 82 Crossfire Vette its all tricked out) and if he's the one that did the great HOW TO's --- SWEET SWEET READS! Very glad he shares his knowledge, that is a real blessing!

I don't like to reinvent the wheel so I may ask a few to many questions sometimes... but will try and search more as I am fining lots of great answers here.

thanks!

Wayne,

I doubt it is possible to ask too many questions on this board, but you are welcome to try.

John is the man and has been recognized as such all around. And well deserved recognition, I might add. He even has been known to leave the Viper, Camaro and Corvette forums jump in on the Chevelle Forums from time to time.

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/librar...hinckley.shtml