454 crankshaft damper removal

[gary86]

Just destroyed my crankshaft pulley, result of using lousy CHINESE aftermarket damper. (I should have known better) WHAT IS the proper method for removing a damper from a big block crank......and what if I don't have the puller?

1982 K30 Scottsdale - original owner

Edited by: gary86 at: 11/27/06 6:54 pm

[Blazin]

I would rent or borrow one.

[gary86]

I have the factory service manual, and I just had my engine rebuilt by a local reputable builder, and when I installed the rebuild I know I replaced the damper, but I can't remember pulling the old one (it's fun getting old - 54 - suffering from CRS!) Soooooo.... I guess I used one of my existing pullers, cause I didn't borrow one, and I don't own the one referenced in the manual. Anyway, thanks for the reply.

[Blazin]

I had a guy rebuild a 350 for me once, he didn't tighten the balancer bolt. I neglected to check it when I installed the motor. A week later I was plowing and all of a suden my plow would not raise. Open the hood motor running no accsesories moving. Take it apart the crank is junk, sheared the keyway slot right off.  

[gary86]

Who bought the new crank? My story goes like this. I had MY original 200k engine rebuilt, The rebuilder told me I needed a new damper, I bought an aftermarket CHINESE damper from NAPA. I inspected it superficially before I installed it. Didn't notice that the Chinese use a FINE thread to hold the pulley on the damper, Chevy uses a coarse thread.... so I destroyed the first hole, drilled out all three pulley bolt holes and threaded in 1/2-13's in all three holes. During the threading I noticed that the casting material was VERY soft. Hmmmmm? Proceeded thru, made sure the damper was properly torqued etc. The engine has about 2000 miles on it now and I heard a clicking noise coming directly out from the center of the radiator, got my stethescope and listened to all the accessory bearings, no problem, nothing obviously loose, no blood on the shop floor overnight, noise went away for a day. Yesterday I got real worried about driving my welding rig thru the middle of the desert in Utah and having something come apart so I started taking things off the front of the engine. Sure enough the three bolts got loose on the pulley from the belt tension and the holes are wobbled and the pulley center is all cracked.....Called local Chevy dealer ordered new Damper, Pulley and Bolts $225.00 ++. At least there's no $600.00 towing charge also. Maybe someone reading this will not make the same mistake. I told my parts guy to kick me in the @#%$ if I ever mention CHINESE aftermarket machined engine parts again EVEN if they are half the cost  - the saving will COST me $225 plus two down days plus my 4 hour labor.

[Blazin]

Nobody, its still in the truck with a bad crank. I got disgusted and parked the truck. That was about 8 years ago. He calimed it wasn't his problem blah blah blah. I claimed it was etc. etc. I already had to replace the rebuilt heads I bought with the motor as he ported and polished them. He left metal shavings in them. two vavles got hung open ruined the guides etc. He claimed that wasn't his fault either. I threw a set of used heads on. He was renting a bay from me in my shop at the time his rent was over due. and tools were coming up missing etc. It ended up with me at the local general store punching his girl friends passenger window out, dragging him half way out and smashing my fist into his face several times. I then went to my shop took all his crap, tools, parts, etc. loaded them into my 1 ton dump and dumped them in the road in front of his house. Then I accidently put it in reverse and backed into / over his tool box. I called his house and told him if he didn't come haul his two cars off the property I was going to torch them. He showed up with a ramp truck and removed them before the end of the day. After he left I called the owner of the ramp truck and told him he was driving on a revoked a license. He inturn called the cops as he had borrowed it without permision.They were waiting for him at the guy who owned the ramp trucks house when he returned. So I guess he did pay for it in round about way. I don't get mad I get even.

[roundedline]

The proper method is to use a harmonic balancer puller.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[gary86]

Sounds like a proper ending!

[gary86]

..got it, did it, piece of cake. Stay away from "made in China". Lesson learned