Harmonic balancer with fins - NCRS Discussion Boards

Harmonic balancer with fins

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  • Tom P.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • March 31, 1980
    • 1814

    Harmonic balancer with fins

    I'm sure it's been asked and discussed many times, but I'm going to ask again.
    What years and engines received finned harmonic balancers. I've always understood it to be just the solid lifter 327 engines (62-65) and not hyd lifter engines (ie L79)? Additionally, did the 302 Z28 engines get finned balancers?
  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • January 31, 1988
    • 43198

    #2
    Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

    Originally posted by Tom Parsons (3491)
    I'm sure it's been asked and discussed many times, but I'm going to ask again.
    What years and engines received finned harmonic balancers. I've always understood it to be just the solid lifter 327 engines (62-65) and not hyd lifter engines (ie L79)? Additionally, did the 302 Z28 engines get finned balancers?

    Tom-----


    There was only one balancer I know of that ever had "fins". This was the GM #3817173. This balancer was used for all 1962-68 327 applications using an 8" balancer (i.e. L-76, L-84, L-79). It was also used for 1967-68 Z-28 (but not 1969 Z-28 which had a revised timing mark).

    However, not all examples of this balancer actually had the "fins". Some folks think that at least all of those used in PRODUCTION and available in SERVICE during the same period had the fins. I don't think so, though. I think the fins may have been eliminated about 1967.
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

    Comment

    • Tom P.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • March 31, 1980
      • 1814

      #3
      Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

      Joe,
      Thank you very much. That's kind of what I thought, but I've never been sure.
      Some say that the 302 Z28 engines got finned balancers, and some say they did not. It has always been my understanding that when the timing mark changed on 69 models, the fins were gone (also, I've always thought that only solid lifter engines got finned balancers, and not L79 engines).

      Comment

      • Joe L.
        Beyond Control Poster
        • January 31, 1988
        • 43198

        #4
        Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

        Originally posted by Tom Parsons (3491)
        Joe,
        Thank you very much. That's kind of what I thought, but I've never been sure.
        Some say that the 302 Z28 engines got finned balancers, and some say they did not. It has always been my understanding that when the timing mark changed on 69 models, the fins were gone (also, I've always thought that only solid lifter engines got finned balancers, and not L79 engines).
        Tom-----

        The 1969 Z-28 balancers definitely did not have the "fins". The balancer was very similar to the 69-70 L-46 balancer except tuned slightly differently.

        Some 1967 Z-28 3817173 balancers may have had the "fins" but I doubt that any original 1968 3817173 Z-28 balancers had them.
        In Appreciation of John Hinckley

        Comment

        • Mike E.
          Very Frequent User
          • June 24, 2012
          • 920

          #5
          Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

          Joe,
          Was crankshaft for that balancer tapped for a bolt?

          Mike

          Comment

          • Joe L.
            Beyond Control Poster
            • January 31, 1988
            • 43198

            #6
            Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

            Originally posted by Mike Eby (55078)
            Joe,
            Was crankshaft for that balancer tapped for a bolt?

            Mike
            Mike-----

            All 327, 302 engines originally using the GM #3817173 balancer were equipped with crankshafts with a balancer retaining bolt tapping.

            All 1969 and later 350 cid engines were equipped with crankshafts with a balancer retaining bolt regardless of what balancer was used.
            In Appreciation of John Hinckley

            Comment

            • Mike E.
              Very Frequent User
              • June 24, 2012
              • 920

              #7
              Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

              Originally posted by Joe Lucia (12484)
              Mike-----

              All 327, 302 engines originally using the GM #3817173 balancer were equipped with crankshafts with a balancer retaining bolt tapping.

              All 1969 and later 350 cid engines were equipped with crankshafts with a balancer retaining bolt regardless of what balancer was used.
              Thanks Joe,
              From everything that I've read that's what I thought.

              Mike

              Comment

              • Barry H.
                Very Frequent User
                • April 30, 1976
                • 213

                #8
                Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

                Tom, My 65 L79, 327/350HP (s/n 15,4xx) with Hyd lifters has a Finned Damper, as does my 62 327/360 HP FI with solid lifters. Both also have the crankshaft bolt with the large washer to keep the Damper from coming off. If I remember correctly the 67 L79 that I owned 20 years ago also had the "Finned Damper" with bolt. Barry Holmes

                Comment

                • John D.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • November 30, 1979
                  • 5507

                  #9
                  Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

                  As Joe mentioned not all the '173 balancers sold by Chevy had fins. The over counter replacements sold in late 60's, etc didn't have fins.
                  I remember ordering one in 1978 and was disappointed. John
                  On my 63 it wasn't easy finding an original TR bolt with holes in safety wire holes in it. Although no safety wire was used. But you didn't ask that.

                  Comment

                  • David L.
                    Expired
                    • July 31, 1980
                    • 3310

                    #10
                    Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

                    The 1965 and older SB balancers did not have stamped date codes so I assume that the 1963-1965 finned 3817173 balancers also do not have stamped date codes. I believe that the stamped date codes appeared in 1966 model year. I once owned a 327 balancer stamped "E6F" (May 1966, the "F" must be the vendor) that was removed from a complete 1966 Chev. 327 stamped "T0521HAR" (May 21, 1966) that had all the other engine components (starter, intake, distributor, alternator, etc.) with April and May 1966 date codes. I have many other Chev. balancers from 1967-1970 engines with date codes.

                    I would think that the original 3817173 balancers on 1966 and newer engines would also have a stamped date code. Does anyone have a finned 3817173 with a stamped date code?

                    Dave

                    Comment

                    • Tom P.
                      Extremely Frequent Poster
                      • March 31, 1980
                      • 1814

                      #11
                      Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

                      I have two finned 173 balancers. Neither has a stamped date.
                      Most of my other balancers (350 and SB400) have stamped dates. I've never looked to see if my BB balancers have dates.

                      Comment

                      • Michael H.
                        Expired
                        • January 28, 2008
                        • 7477

                        #12
                        Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

                        Originally posted by David Liukkonen (3775)
                        I would think that the original 3817173 balancers on 1966 and newer engines would also have a stamped date code. Does anyone have a finned 3817173 with a stamped date code?

                        Dave
                        David,

                        I have a finned 3817173 damper stamp dated G64.

                        Comment

                        • Mike E.
                          Extremely Frequent Poster
                          • February 28, 1975
                          • 5136

                          #13
                          Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

                          Two points to this thread:
                          1). Early 62 340 and 360 hp cars had a finned balancer and did NOT have a crankshaft bolt. If I were home I'd dig out the GM info on that, but I'm on the road right now.
                          2). 62 finned balancers DID have date stampings.

                          Comment

                          • Gary C.
                            Administrator
                            • October 1, 1982
                            • 17596

                            #14
                            Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

                            Tom,

                            My bought new '68 Z28 had a finned balancer.

                            Gary
                            ....
                            NCRS Texas Chapter
                            https://www.ncrstexas.org/

                            https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631

                            Comment

                            • Michael H.
                              Expired
                              • January 28, 2008
                              • 7477

                              #15
                              Re: Harmonic balancer with fins

                              Originally posted by Gary Chesnut (5895)
                              Tom,

                              My bought new '68 Z28 had a finned balancer.

                              Gary
                              ....
                              I'm pretty sure that my new 68 Z28 also had a finned 8" balancer.

                              Comment

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