Harmonic balancer install question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevybill · 03-12-2006, 06:12 PM

I am trying to install my harmonic balancer back on to my engine. I used the summit install tool and the threaded end of the crankshaft is 1 inch countersunk in the center of the balancer. Meaning the balancer lacks one inch for the outside of the balancer to be flush with the threaded part of the crankshaft.

Is it far enough up on the crankshaft? The engine started turning as I tried to tighten the balancer anymore.

Please help, I need to get this right before I go any further on my engine reassembly.

**dennislbrooks** · 03-12-2006, 07:22 PM

If you installed with the puller method-- then the 7/16" center bolt is to be torqued to 60 Ft. lbs per my books. The 1" looks correct to the rebuild picks I have --you my have surpassed 60 ft lbs.

Karl Hoh · 03-12-2006, 07:39 PM

I asume you mean the threads in the hole for the balancer bolt start 1 inch deeper that the face of the crank snout. This is normal for most chevy cranks. The fit between the bore of the balancer and the crank is supposed to be snug. I've seen them extremly tight (torn the threads out) and loose (old crank & balancer that's been on & off too many times). You will have to hold the crank from turning, use the flywheel and bellhousing dowel with a large screwdriver or between 2 flywheel bolts on crank end. The balancer will push over the snout until it stops against the timing gear. Tighten the balancer bolt until it becomes tight, back it out and check position of balancer on the snout. There should be about 1/8 inch from the balancer face (under bolt washer) and the front of the crank snout. That's a sure way to tell if you have the balancer pushed on correctly.( If not, pull balancer to find out why it stopped.) Then torque bolt to spec.
Hope this helps. Karl

chevybill · 03-12-2006, 07:47 PM

when i measure with a tape measure by sticking it in the balancer hole against the crankshaft the tape shows one inch on the outside of the pulley.

neonlarry · 03-12-2006, 07:51 PM

If the balancer is that tight it helps to heat it in the oven at low temp, then use some welding or BBQ gloves and install it quickly before it cools. This plus the above should get it on, but I have had balancers that were still too tight a fit to go on all the way. If that happens crocus cloth and elbow grease will help.

junkyardjohn · 03-12-2006, 07:57 PM

I'VE HONED THEM WITH A BRAKE CYLINDER HONE WHEN THEY ARE TOO TIGHT TOO.

JOHN

Karl Hoh · 03-12-2006, 08:00 PM

Sounds fishy, I would pull the balancer and measure from the crank gear to the end of the crank snout, and measure the balancer from the crank gear end to the face where the washer would sit. With these measurments recorded, reistall balancer and do the math to see if the balancer has seated against the crank gear.

chevybill · 03-12-2006, 08:51 PM

so, should i try to remove the balancer again or is it on far enough? just looking at it in relation to the timing cover it looks about right. it could not go much further, or it will hit the timing cover.

this is not a new balancer, it is the one that originally came on the engine.

deadof_knight · 03-12-2006, 10:42 PM

One make sure it is absoluttley clean smooth checking for protrusions or scuffs. little emory cloth will help. I put mine on with a lil lub too help with metal to metal corrosion and it help it go on a lil smoother. It should be lil less than a 1/4 inch between it and the timing cover if it all on right. The crank gear is seated all the way right? check and recheck before you muck it up is what I do cuz I hate to do it twice because I bunged it up

chevybill · 03-12-2006, 10:50 PM

there is about one half inch between the timing cover and the balancer. this is a vortec engine with a plastic cover if that makes any difference.

Karl Hoh · 03-13-2006, 12:07 AM

It sounds like the balancer is not on far enough. If the bolt was getting very tight, I would pull the balancer. I asume this balancer is from this engine/crankshaft. deadof knight is right, the balancer should be very close to the timing cover when correctly installed.

70c10 · 03-13-2006, 12:21 AM

Yesterday I ran into some trouble getting my new balancer on. It wouldn't budge and turned out the little half moon key had rotated and the balancer wouldn't seat!. After putting back it in place it went on fine.

53sparks · 03-13-2006, 12:41 AM

I have never used the install tool but i did the boil it in a pot (used gloves) block of wood and hammer did not even hit it very hard went right on, but it was also a brand new damper good luck!!

chevybill · 03-13-2006, 07:56 PM

So the overall consensus is that I need to remove the balancer again and attempt to reinstall?

Any other opinions?

chevybill · 03-25-2006, 08:34 PM

Just for the mutual benefiet of everybody, i pulled the balancer and reinstalled it and i think it was right the first time. I am paranoid about
getting things correct, I guess. I just hate doing things over if it can be avoided.

Karl Hoh · 03-26-2006, 12:05 AM

When in doubt, do over. I find it cheaper in the long run.

03-12-2006, 06:12 PM	#1
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Harmonic balancer install question I am trying to install my harmonic balancer back on to my engine. I used the summit install tool and the threaded end of the crankshaft is 1 inch countersunk in the center of the balancer. Meaning the balancer lacks one inch for the outside of the balancer to be flush with the threaded part of the crankshaft. Is it far enough up on the crankshaft? The engine started turning as I tried to tighten the balancer anymore. Please help, I need to get this right before I go any further on my engine reassembly. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

03-12-2006, 07:22 PM	#2
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,787	Re: Harmonic balancer install question If you installed with the puller method-- then the 7/16" center bolt is to be torqued to 60 Ft. lbs per my books. The 1" looks correct to the rebuild picks I have --you my have surpassed 60 ft lbs.

03-12-2006, 07:39 PM	#3
Karl Hoh A little east of nowhere Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: LaBroquerie,Manitoba Canada Posts: 168	Re: Harmonic balancer install question I asume you mean the threads in the hole for the balancer bolt start 1 inch deeper that the face of the crank snout. This is normal for most chevy cranks. The fit between the bore of the balancer and the crank is supposed to be snug. I've seen them extremly tight (torn the threads out) and loose (old crank & balancer that's been on & off too many times). You will have to hold the crank from turning, use the flywheel and bellhousing dowel with a large screwdriver or between 2 flywheel bolts on crank end. The balancer will push over the snout until it stops against the timing gear. Tighten the balancer bolt until it becomes tight, back it out and check position of balancer on the snout. There should be about 1/8 inch from the balancer face (under bolt washer) and the front of the crank snout. That's a sure way to tell if you have the balancer pushed on correctly.( If not, pull balancer to find out why it stopped.) Then torque bolt to spec. Hope this helps. Karl

03-12-2006, 07:47 PM	#4
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Harmonic balancer install question when i measure with a tape measure by sticking it in the balancer hole against the crankshaft the tape shows one inch on the outside of the pulley. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

03-12-2006, 07:51 PM	#5
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Re: Harmonic balancer install question If the balancer is that tight it helps to heat it in the oven at low temp, then use some welding or BBQ gloves and install it quickly before it cools. This plus the above should get it on, but I have had balancers that were still too tight a fit to go on all the way. If that happens crocus cloth and elbow grease will help. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

03-12-2006, 07:57 PM	#6
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	Re: Harmonic balancer install question I'VE HONED THEM WITH A BRAKE CYLINDER HONE WHEN THEY ARE TOO TIGHT TOO. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

03-12-2006, 08:00 PM	#7
Karl Hoh A little east of nowhere Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: LaBroquerie,Manitoba Canada Posts: 168	Re: Harmonic balancer install question Sounds fishy, I would pull the balancer and measure from the crank gear to the end of the crank snout, and measure the balancer from the crank gear end to the face where the washer would sit. With these measurments recorded, reistall balancer and do the math to see if the balancer has seated against the crank gear.

03-12-2006, 08:51 PM	#8
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Harmonic balancer install question so, should i try to remove the balancer again or is it on far enough? just looking at it in relation to the timing cover it looks about right. it could not go much further, or it will hit the timing cover. this is not a new balancer, it is the one that originally came on the engine. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

03-12-2006, 10:42 PM	#9
deadof_knight FixerUpper Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Lawton ,Oklahoma Posts: 102	Re: Harmonic balancer install question One make sure it is absoluttley clean smooth checking for protrusions or scuffs. little emory cloth will help. I put mine on with a lil lub too help with metal to metal corrosion and it help it go on a lil smoother. It should be lil less than a 1/4 inch between it and the timing cover if it all on right. The crank gear is seated all the way right? check and recheck before you muck it up is what I do cuz I hate to do it twice because I bunged it up __________________ 1-Cheyenne 72 700R4,camper special all original when i got it then i improved it a little Blue and White 3.73,4 core rad, 700r4,MSD hei ,turbo muffs dual exhaust only had 50 k on it when i bought original mile sweet old ladies truck turned into a stump puller No. 2 C-10 72 w/air and Tilt and power and the cheyenne trim package shtbd is dropped 2-3w/factory tilt has torq thrust 2 rims 2003 dodge neon steel blue color

03-12-2006, 10:50 PM	#10
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Harmonic balancer install question there is about one half inch between the timing cover and the balancer. this is a vortec engine with a plastic cover if that makes any difference. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

03-13-2006, 12:07 AM	#11
Karl Hoh A little east of nowhere Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: LaBroquerie,Manitoba Canada Posts: 168	Re: Harmonic balancer install question It sounds like the balancer is not on far enough. If the bolt was getting very tight, I would pull the balancer. I asume this balancer is from this engine/crankshaft. deadof knight is right, the balancer should be very close to the timing cover when correctly installed.

03-13-2006, 12:21 AM	#12
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: Harmonic balancer install question Yesterday I ran into some trouble getting my new balancer on. It wouldn't budge and turned out the little half moon key had rotated and the balancer wouldn't seat!. After putting back it in place it went on fine. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

03-13-2006, 12:41 AM	#13
53sparks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: mn Posts: 92	Re: Harmonic balancer install question I have never used the install tool but i did the boil it in a pot (used gloves) block of wood and hammer did not even hit it very hard went right on, but it was also a brand new damper good luck!!

03-13-2006, 07:56 PM	#14
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Harmonic balancer install question So the overall consensus is that I need to remove the balancer again and attempt to reinstall? Any other opinions? __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

03-25-2006, 08:34 PM	#15
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Harmonic balancer install question Just for the mutual benefiet of everybody, i pulled the balancer and reinstalled it and i think it was right the first time. I am paranoid about getting things correct, I guess. I just hate doing things over if it can be avoided. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint



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03-26-2006, 12:05 AM	#16
Karl Hoh A little east of nowhere Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: LaBroquerie,Manitoba Canada Posts: 168	Re: Harmonic balancer install question When in doubt, do over. I find it cheaper in the long run. __________________ 68 C10 250 4spd 69 C20 327 4spd 69 910 250 3spd 80 K10 350 4spd 76 C60 366 5spd school bus "THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN BREAK THAT SOMEONE CAN'T BE PAID TO REPAIR"

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