Question for 396 owners - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

flip66 · 03-28-2004, 10:36 PM

I have a 1969 C10 with a 396 my harmonic balancer has gone bad. The one on it is a 7” external balanced but all the parts houses are saying that it takes an 8” internal balancer. If you have a 396 in your vehicle could you please tell me what type of balancer you have on it. I need to know what type are on most of the 396s out there.

chevy blazer guy · 03-28-2004, 11:17 PM

The one in my nova is internal balanced and as far as i know they all were. The only one that is external is a 454.

breeh · 03-28-2004, 11:19 PM

If you have an external balance harmonic dampner then you either have the wrong dampner or you don't have a 396.

robby · 03-29-2004, 12:02 AM

Better check your suffix code. get a look at the flex plate or flywheel, if it is externally ballanced you may have a 454

Longhorn Man · 03-29-2004, 12:33 AM

Yup, on the light duty (car and pick up truck enngines) big blocks, the 454 was the only one ballanced externally.

68c10owner · 03-29-2004, 01:15 AM

the early 396 motors used a 7" balancer. the later 396/402 motors used a 8". i think the hi horsepower motors used the 8" as well. g.m. sells a 7" balncer and the 8" balancer. if you have a 7" balancer and are using the stock timing cover, you will have to use the 7" balancer. the timing tab is welded to the cover. you can either replace the cover or just knock the tab off and get a bolt on tab that will fit a 8" balancer. if you go with a 8" balancer, remeber to get one for internal balanced motors. the 454 are external and used a 8" balancer.

flip66 · 03-29-2004, 12:39 PM

UPDATE
Yall are right it is the same is a 402. Dorman makes the right one. I found a pic of it. I thought if it had the counter sunk holes in the outer ring it ment it was exteranly balanced.

03-28-2004, 10:36 PM	#1
flip66 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Garland TX Dallas area Posts: 658	Question for 396 owners I have a 1969 C10 with a 396 my harmonic balancer has gone bad. The one on it is a 7” external balanced but all the parts houses are saying that it takes an 8” internal balancer. If you have a 396 in your vehicle could you please tell me what type of balancer you have on it. I need to know what type are on most of the 396s out there.

03-28-2004, 11:19 PM	#3
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	If you have an external balance harmonic dampner then you either have the wrong dampner or you don't have a 396. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

03-29-2004, 12:02 AM	#4
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	Better check your suffix code. get a look at the flex plate or flywheel, if it is externally ballanced you may have a 454 __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

03-29-2004, 01:15 AM	#6
68c10owner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Carmichael, California Posts: 3,005	the early 396 motors used a 7" balancer. the later 396/402 motors used a 8". i think the hi horsepower motors used the 8" as well. g.m. sells a 7" balncer and the 8" balancer. if you have a 7" balancer and are using the stock timing cover, you will have to use the 7" balancer. the timing tab is welded to the cover. you can either replace the cover or just knock the tab off and get a bolt on tab that will fit a 8" balancer. if you go with a 8" balancer, remeber to get one for internal balanced motors. the 454 are external and used a 8" balancer. __________________ Anthony

03-29-2004, 12:39 PM	#7
flip66 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Garland TX Dallas area Posts: 658	UPDATE Yall are right it is the same is a 402. Dorman makes the right one. I found a pic of it. I thought if it had the counter sunk holes in the outer ring it ment it was exteranly balanced. Last edited by flip66; 03-29-2004 at 12:41 PM.

03-28-2004, 11:17 PM	#2
chevy blazer guy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ravenna Mi Posts: 22	The one in my nova is internal balanced and as far as i know they all were. The only one that is external is a 454.

03-29-2004, 12:33 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Yup, on the light duty (car and pick up truck enngines) big blocks, the 454 was the only one ballanced externally.



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