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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: eventhorizon66 on August 18, 2007, 11:50:22 am

Title: Balancer question
Post by: eventhorizon66 on August 18, 2007, 11:50:22 am
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb247/1985C10/P8180028.jpg (http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb247/1985C10/P8180028.jpg)
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb247/1985C10/P8040020.jpg (http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb247/1985C10/P8040020.jpg)

Two questions: does this look fully pressed on?  And is the balancer hub supposed to butt up against the timing gear?  It's a narrow 8" if that helps.

Here's the deal, I installed this thing about three weeks ago, but it has been bothering me.  The reason being, it took two 3 ft. pipes slipped over the handles of the cresent wrenches to drive the thing on with the installer tool (cheapie AutoZone) and I thoroughly checked the crank snout, balancer bore, and woodruff keys for burrs, etc beforehand.  Is this normal?  Oh, and the other reason, the installer broke off in my crank snout just as it reached this point.  (I was able to get the piece out, no damage to the crank threads).

Sorry for the stupid (common) question, but I just couldn't find any good info and local auto parts stores aren't very helpful.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: okuma on August 18, 2007, 11:59:10 am
_ _ _ _ on a boar. :o????  "THIS IS A FAMILY SHOW"! :-\
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: eventhorizon66 on August 18, 2007, 12:25:43 pm
There, profanity-slip fixed, now any helpful answers?
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: eventhorizon66 on August 19, 2007, 12:05:33 pm
Nobody willing to take a looksie at the pics and give me a guestimate?  I suppose I can start bolting pulleys on and see what the alignment is like. :-\
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: Blazin on August 19, 2007, 01:12:44 pm
Cant really tell from the pics, but it does look close to what its supposed to. Only way to tell is if your belts don't line up when you have the pulleys on. I know you are not supposed to but I have always taped mine on with a dead blow hammer. Have never had one go hard like you say your did. have never used an installing tool.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: eventhorizon66 on August 19, 2007, 02:26:48 pm
Thanks for the response.  I guess I'll just have to see what my pulley alignment is like.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: 77c15 on August 19, 2007, 08:30:59 pm
Every time i've ever installed a harmonic balancer, it came with instructions that said it should be put in the oven for a certain amount of time and a certain temperature and it would slip on fairly easy.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: VileZambonie on August 19, 2007, 08:52:09 pm
I wouldn't put it in the oven! The intereference fit isn't that hard. It honestly should not go on that hard. Take it back off and lightly sand it. Lube the crankshaft snout and use the installer. If it still goes on hard get another balancer.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: eventhorizon66 on August 19, 2007, 10:08:17 pm
Take it back off and lightly sand it. Lube the crankshaft snout and use the installer. If it still goes on hard get another balancer.

Not the answer I wanted, but probably the best advice so far.

I have also heard of the oven thing, but was concerned for the safety of the rubber isolator.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: VileZambonie on August 20, 2007, 10:09:38 am
heat destroys the elastomer. If it was just a solid hub fine but it's not
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: Captkaos on August 20, 2007, 10:30:20 am
It appears to be ok to me.  I would verify it by putting the pulleys on.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: VileZambonie on August 20, 2007, 04:06:15 pm
I have one installed that I stole the bolt from today. I can measure the depth if you want.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: eventhorizon66 on August 20, 2007, 04:44:47 pm
I have one installed that I stole the bolt from today. I can measure the depth if you want.

I would appreciate that.  I am going to check water pump to crank pulley alignment.  And if they are off, I will pull the balancer, lightly sand the bore, and try again as you advised.

Thanks for all the help.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: eventhorizon66 on August 21, 2007, 07:18:51 pm
I bolted up my water pump today to check pulley alignment.  Its nearly perfect, so I am happy.  I should have done this before posting a topic, but my pump wasn't in yet and I was feeling impatient.  Thanks for all the help guys.
Title: Re: Balancer question
Post by: DnStClr on August 22, 2007, 10:29:50 am
It sounds like it went on far enough. I betcha you picked up a burr on the key as you were putting it on and that's why it went on so hard. Not that it matters, but another way to heat up the balancer is to put it in boiling water for a few minutes before installing on the lubed crankshaft. The water won't overheat the elastomer seal. have fun with your new engine!