Balancer Question

[Blake_H]

I have what I think is a dumb question, but I can't find an answer, and it is really bugging me.  I am swapping out a 94 5.7 for my dead 87 5.7 and have run into an issue no one I know has a definitive answer for.  So I am turning the board for help.  I searched but couldn't find an answer for this one.

The balancer on the 94 is thin and bigger around than the short, stubby one on the 87.  Can I swap them without causing any trouble, or will I be creating more problems? 

Thanks for the help.

[Josh454]

You should keep the balancer that was balanced for use with it's crankshaft.  Plus you'll know that the balancer lines up with your timing tab.

[VileZambonie]

Does the balancer on your 94 have the ribbed pulley built in?

[Blake_H]

Vile, it does not.  It unbolts/bolts up like the 87.  At the parts store this morning, they were gracious enough to pull both off the shelf and compare them side by side.  No difference.  So, just out of curiosity, I went to the other parts store across the street, and same thing.  So, I came home and mocked up the water pump and put the pulley on, and so far they line up.  I will finish mocking everything up in the morning, but so far I would say it's going to work without swapping them.

As a side note, I checked on a friends 88 suburban when he stopped by and he has the same belt set up as mine, and his balancer was the same as the 94, so maybe the previous owner of mine put the wrong one on.   

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.