Balancer question

[eventhorizon66]

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb247/1985C10/P8180028.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.

[okuma]

_ _ _ _ on a boar. ?  "THIS IS A FAMILY SHOW"!

[eventhorizon66]

There, profanity-slip fixed, now any helpful answers?

[eventhorizon66]

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.

[Blazin]

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.

[eventhorizon66]

Thanks for the response.  I guess I'll just have to see what my pulley alignment is like.

[77c15]

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.

[VileZambonie]

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.

[eventhorizon66]

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.

[VileZambonie]

heat destroys the elastomer. If it was just a solid hub fine but it's not

[Captkaos]

It appears to be ok to me.  I would verify it by putting the pulleys on.

[VileZambonie]

I have one installed that I stole the bolt from today. I can measure the depth if you want.

[eventhorizon66]

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.

[eventhorizon66]

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.

[DnStClr]

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!