need help with replacing Harmonic Balancer

[67pro-street]

hi all, i have a 383 stroker that uses a crankshaft out of a 400 sbc (externaly balanced). my harmonic balancer cracked and i need to replace it. i was just wondering what all i need to buy in order to do the job correctly. i was talking to my uncle and he said that i will need a new balancer and a new seal as well as a new key. im not too sure what type of seal i should be getting and where exactly it goes. if someone could help me out, i would really appreciate it.

thanks,

67pro-street

[67ChevyRedneck]

The seal goes on the timing chain cover. It's been a while since I've changed one, but I think it's a metal "C" channel shaped seal. They're a bit of a pain to get out, but to reinstall the new one I used a rubber hammer. You will also need a harmonic balancer puller to get the balancer off. You can get the "keys" in the help aisle of an advance or autozone or whatever, just bring the old one with you to compare. There's only a few different ones. As far as balancer, with your motor I would have no idea what to get

[rage'nrat638]

well you will need a puller and a installer..if you have never checked the t-chain..i would..and if it's a old water pump..i would be replacing that too.

may sound like a lot of money but...
look at it this way...you pay someone ,you pay hundreds..
you do it your self..you get by cheaper..you have tools that last a life time,
learn some thing, you don't have to repair something later..that should have been repaired before..more trust in your truck.

needed..
timing chain gears and set...60.00 tops
timing cover gaskets set...15.00
water pump 35.00
anti-freeze 16.00
new balance stock 55.00

tools..
balancer puller 20.00-30.00
balancer installet 35.00

p.s. you will be hard pressed to remove and install the balancer seal, with out removing the timing chain cover..

[rage'nrat638]

questions just ask ...need help just ask..p.m. me if needed...your pal mark

[70c10]

Just an FYI- I bought a real nice 8" balancer- Summit brand for about $60 with the engraved timing marks and have been happy with it.

[IGOR]

I bought a balancer last summer - and it came with several different keys - got it at NAPA

[ratrod67]

Was your motor balanced when it was at the machine shop? If so you'll need your new balancer to be the same weight as the old one.

[incoma]

and on a 383, it should have been balanced. You've taken quite a bit of weight from the piston/rods and the crank should have had some metal taken out of the weights. The balancer and flexplate should have been modified too.

[70GMCer]

Just make sure you get a balancer for a sbc 400 CI engine. They are externally balanced, along with the flywheel. You won't need to get anything re-balanced.

[bigjimzlll]

Originally Posted by incoma

and on a 383, it should have been balanced. You've taken quite a bit of weight from the piston/rods and the crank should have had some metal taken out of the weights. The balancer and flexplate should have been modified too.

any shop that balances an engine by removing/adding weight to the balancer/flex plate should be stayed away from like the plague

[rage'nrat638]

Originally Posted by bigjimzlll

any shop that balances an engine by removing/adding weight to the balancer/flex plate should be stayed away from like the plague

you got that right...all you need is a 400 sbc balancer

here's the pictures of the tools needed to do the job correctly

first one is the remover...use three 3/8 x 3 1/2" long bolts and washers..

second is the installer...the small threaded end goes into the crank threads.
the big washer and bearing sits outside the balancer and tightens down and install's it no hammering nothing damaged..it's a snap..

questions just ask..your pal mark