Harmonic Balancer Installation

[Joel K.]

After researching the subject on the TDB, I drilled and tapped the crankshaft on a '65 327/300 engine for a retaining bolt. Using a harmonic balancer installation tool, I fit the balancer onto the crank snout and tightened the tool's nut until the balancer wouldn't move any further. At this point, I can still see about 3/8" of the balancer shaft outside the front cover oil seal; though "before" photos look about the same (I didn't actually measure it then), it just looks like the balancer is too far out compared to other engines I've seen. Is there a specified distance the balancer should be from the front cover?

[Timothy B.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Installation

Joel,

The damper should bottom out on the crankshaft timing gear, if there is any misalignment you will notice the belts will not line up correctly. If it's installed straight there should be no problem getting it to seat against the gear and torqueing the bolt should keep it there. Is this the same damper that was installed on the engine before drilling the crankshaft snout.

I cant offer a distance measurement but others may be able to help.

[Joel K.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Installation

Is this the same damper that was installed on the engine before drilling the crankshaft snout.

Thanks for the reply. It is a new, aftermarket damper. If feels like it's seated against the crankshaft timing gear and the pulleys line up OK; I'm just concerned that it seems to be sitting too far forward from the timing cover.

[Joe L.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Installation

Thanks for the reply. It is a new, aftermarket damper. If feels like it's seated against the crankshaft timing gear and the pulleys line up OK; I'm just concerned that it seems to be sitting too far forward from the timing cover.

Joel-----


If the pulleys line up OK, the balancer is installed properly. It's as simple as that.

[Michael G.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Installation

Thanks for the reply. It is a new, aftermarket damper. If feels like it's seated against the crankshaft timing gear and the pulleys line up OK; I'm just concerned that it seems to be sitting too far forward from the timing cover.

I'm sure you compared aftermarket dampener with the one it replaced??

[Joel K.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Installation

Thanks, Joe. I was pretty sure it was seated OK, but it just didn't look right. Since the car's going to be a driver I wanted to have the extra piece of mind from bolting the balancer to the crankshaft.

[Joel K.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Installation

Michael,
Yes, I did compare the two -- alike in all respects.