questions about harmonic balancers
 

i got a question about pioneer performance products harmonic balancers listed on page 118 of the most recent summit catalog-part # pio872003.this is the description summit's website says about it-Street Balancer, Int.Bal. SBC V8/ 90 Deg.V6, 8.01 in.Dia.(8.0), 3-Bolt-they say in the catalog there made with a procedure that heat bonds the dampening rubber between the center hub and inertia ring to prevent slipping and failure of the bonded rubber and there also bonded to OEM specs.reason i ask is because my uncle who built my new motor thinks the old balancer slipped since he couldnt get the motor to time right.there only 34 bucks more and if its not a big hassle to use one-like will i have to get new pullies and belts to use this or will it work with the stock pullies and belts.if there is no hassle to use one i will.has anyone used or know anyone who has used one of these balancers before and how would you rate them.i dont have 2-300 dollars for a race balancer and honestly my motor is fairly mild so i dont think i need an all out race balancer.lemme know what you all think.

I've used the pioneer balancers and haven't had any trouble out of them. the pullies and all will bolt right up to them.
And I've also used these too and they are cheaper,
http://www.northernautoparts.com/Pro...ProductId=1460

that northern auto parts one sounds like a good deal since its cheaper than an stock one and a step up as well.i think ill go with that unless anyone else has any suggestions.

I used this balancer cover on mine, b/c I changed from a timing tab welded on the cover to one at 2 o'clock. It was only $30 and they have them in quite a few different colors. It lined right up and is dead on for TDC. I'm really impressed with it as it has the marks all around. I wish it was about a 1/4 longer b/c it dosent cover the whole balancer, but not many people see it. I got it from summit racing part number PRO-66518BKC for 8" and PRO-66517BKC for 6.75" The BKC is for black they also have chrome, blue, red, purple and green I think. Here is a pic:

Did you swap timing chain covers? Did you know there were two different timing markers? One you check behind the water pump and the other is like is posted above at the 2 o-clock position.


Summit has a "piston stop" spark plug you can also get a degree kit (more acurate but can be done without it) and with these you can verify TDC.

What you do is make some sort of pointer for the ballancer. Put the piston stop in and turn the motor by hand till it hits that stop. Mark the ballancer at that point. Spinp the motor back wards till you hit that stop again. Mark it. Measure and finde the center of those two marks. Take out the piston stop and turn the moter till the pointer is at the center mark. That is TDC. Check the acuracy of your stock TDC mark. If it's over at the 2-oclock spot make an new mark at the 12 o-clock location or buy that bolt on timing tab in the picture above.

I bought a piston stop. But what has me wondering is how far the threaded rod goes into the cylinder? I searched for a while and only came across something that said it was supposed to be an inch passed the nut that goes into the sparkplug hole. It never came with any directions or anything so Im left wondering. If you could let me know I would be grateful.

As long as it stops the piston before it reaches the top of the bore is all that matter. You want it to be about 15-20 degrees befor the piston makes it. Just dont force it. take all the plugs out soe that it's easy to turn. You can do this just as easy on the flex plate/flywheel and infact since it's a larger diameter it would be more acurate at the flex plate.

thanks for the replies guys.the balancer on mine im sure is shot as it was a used one that was laying around and god only knows how old it is.the one that originally came on my motor was shot-the rubber was coming out in chunks and we found this out at the last minute so not that i was broke at the time but in the interest of saving time we used this old one that was laying around but appeared to be in good shape.i think im going to do what i should have done in the first place and just bought a new and not mess around.

I've slipped a balancer on my vette. It actually ran fine, just had a CRAZY vibration. Took me a few minutes to figger out WTF it was. Had to drive it home across town with it rattling around. Prolly did mucho damage to my engine..but who cares, don't have that car anymore, hahah