harmonic balancer interchange question

[crm318]

im building a 1989 carbed 350. im going to buy it a new balancer and i was wondering which one to get. i hear that the 89s would have a straight up timing mark on it. this one has it in the 2 o clock position. what year model should i purchase? do all 350 cranks have the key in the same position so that i might buy a balancer to match my timing cover?

[arkracing]

Where is the timing tab on your Timing cover??

All 350's will fit - and 99% of the aftermarket balancers or "high performance" balancers will be designed for the 2'oclock position. You can buy the timing tab seperate and it will bolt on with the timing cover bolts - and just cut the old one off if it is in the 12'oclock position.

[crm318]

mine is in the 2 o clock position. the motor is going into a 76 van. should i get a 76 model balancer?

[Fred T]

There are lot's of choices on the balancer.

First, you will be using a 69 & on balancer, which is when they moved the timing mark.

Second choice will be the diameter. Most had 8", but 6-3/4" is also available. You can use either, but if you change diameter you will need a different pointer.

Also, the material makes a difference, especially in performance engines. Stock uses rubber, higher performance uses a liquid silecone. There is a difference in how well they work.

SFI approved? If you are racing, yes.

Timing marks. For advanced timing, a balancer with degree markings is easier to time. Timing tape can be glued on, but it's tough to get it to remain stuck over time.

Now that you're thouroughly conused here are my recommendations.

For a stock engine, a stock balancer will work, but one with timing marks makes advanced timing easier.

For performance engines, I'm a big fan of the fluid balancer. Fluiddampr makes a non-SFI approved balancer, the Streetdampr. 6-3/4" diameter, so you will probably need an adjustable marker. And it has the needed timing marks.

The tough part about the better balancers is the cost.