front crank seals leaking - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

84_4x4 · 03-21-2007, 06:25 PM

i took off my water pump and saw that my front crank seal is leaking and want to fix this before installing new water pump what is the procedure do i need to take off the timing chain cover or just harmonic balancer and how is this harmonic balancer removed i have never taken one off and just don't wanna do it wrong and not be able to put it back on

Tx Firefighter · 03-21-2007, 06:42 PM

You need a balancer remover. You CAN install the balancer with a mallet and a long bolt, but the proper installer is sure recomended.

Once you get the balancer off, the seal is a basic remove and replace job. No need to remove the timing cover.

Be forewarned though, there is probably a grrove worn into your balancer by the seal. You'll need either a new balancer or a repair sleeve from the parts store if that's the case.

I use the speedi-sleeve to fix em myself with no issues.

Rick Mills · 03-21-2007, 07:45 PM

If you don't have a "harmonic balancer - puller" you can usually rent them from companies like Checker Auto (Shucks / Kragen in some states).
Usually they charge something for a deposit but then they refund it when you bring the tool back.
I gotta tell ya... if ya install your balancer with a "hammer" it will not be good for it; that's why they have tools for this sort of thing.

Balancing engine harmonics is an art. Hammers & art... not good friends.

Tx Firefighter · 03-21-2007, 07:56 PM

Agreed on the install tool. Sometimes though, a hammer is the only option like 250 inline 6's and early small blocks.

1BadSS · 03-21-2007, 08:10 PM

Installing with the tool isnt possible when you have an old 283 or 327.

84_4x4 · 03-21-2007, 08:35 PM

will i need to mark the block and the balancer or is it splined or does it not matter in which position it goes back on

Tx Firefighter · 03-21-2007, 08:37 PM

It's got a 1/4 inch Woodruff key. You can't put it on wrong.

84_4x4 · 03-21-2007, 08:39 PM

kool nice and easy i was worried that i would have to worry about alignment or would run weird

poff · 03-22-2007, 11:53 AM

A basic flange puller will pull the balancer. You can change the seal in the truck but check the seal mating surface on the balancer. If the mating surface has a groove worn in it the new seal will still leak. They make sleeve kits for this problem but I have never used one. My balancer had this problem but it was beat anyhow so I replaced it. I highly recommend using a balancer installer tool. This Cal-Van is the same as the Snap-On/Blue-Point one for half the price: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/CAL-388.html (they have a minimum order $ but they have good prices and customer service). You can probably get away with a cheap puller, I like the OTC 525 though, good for the price and their pullers are all interchangeable.

03-21-2007, 06:25 PM	#1
84_4x4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Ky Posts: 179	front crank seals leaking i took off my water pump and saw that my front crank seal is leaking and want to fix this before installing new water pump what is the procedure do i need to take off the timing chain cover or just harmonic balancer and how is this harmonic balancer removed i have never taken one off and just don't wanna do it wrong and not be able to put it back on __________________ 1971 c10 350ci long bed fleet side

03-21-2007, 06:42 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: front crank seals leaking You need a balancer remover. You CAN install the balancer with a mallet and a long bolt, but the proper installer is sure recomended. Once you get the balancer off, the seal is a basic remove and replace job. No need to remove the timing cover. Be forewarned though, there is probably a grrove worn into your balancer by the seal. You'll need either a new balancer or a repair sleeve from the parts store if that's the case. I use the speedi-sleeve to fix em myself with no issues. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-21-2007, 07:45 PM	#3
Rick Mills Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 351	Re: front crank seals leaking If you don't have a "harmonic balancer - puller" you can usually rent them from companies like Checker Auto (Shucks / Kragen in some states). Usually they charge something for a deposit but then they refund it when you bring the tool back. I gotta tell ya... if ya install your balancer with a "hammer" it will not be good for it; that's why they have tools for this sort of thing. Balancing engine harmonics is an art. Hammers & art... not good friends. __________________ The Fastor Pastor '68 swb, 447 BBC/ 6-71 Weiand, Dual 950 Bigs Carbs/ 2 1/2" Header tubes - 4" collectors/ M-21 4speed: '70 swb; TH-400 - bagged & shaved. Looking for new engine or parts. Wife - Original {A Real Classic!}

03-21-2007, 07:56 PM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: front crank seals leaking Agreed on the install tool. Sometimes though, a hammer is the only option like 250 inline 6's and early small blocks. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-21-2007, 08:10 PM	#5
1BadSS NOT REALLY BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 1,072	Re: front crank seals leaking Installing with the tool isnt possible when you have an old 283 or 327. __________________ 1987 Mustang Coupe - 2.7 Stroker, 78mm turbo, Stainless header, 3" Exh, FMIC, 160lb/hr Injectors, MS3, twin walbro 255's, 34psi. Eating V8's daily. 04 Pontiac GTO 04 Ford Mustang GT 68 C20 LWB stripper truck 73 K5 Cheyenne 76 C20 Sierra Crew SRW 88 K20 Suburban I'm not hammering on metal just to hammer, i'm creating a piece of art.

03-21-2007, 08:35 PM	#6
84_4x4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Ky Posts: 179	Re: front crank seals leaking will i need to mark the block and the balancer or is it splined or does it not matter in which position it goes back on __________________ 1971 c10 350ci long bed fleet side

03-21-2007, 08:37 PM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: front crank seals leaking It's got a 1/4 inch Woodruff key. You can't put it on wrong. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-21-2007, 08:39 PM	#8
84_4x4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Ky Posts: 179	Re: front crank seals leaking kool nice and easy i was worried that i would have to worry about alignment or would run weird __________________ 1971 c10 350ci long bed fleet side

03-22-2007, 11:53 AM	#9
poff Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 546	Re: front crank seals leaking A basic flange puller will pull the balancer. You can change the seal in the truck but check the seal mating surface on the balancer. If the mating surface has a groove worn in it the new seal will still leak. They make sleeve kits for this problem but I have never used one. My balancer had this problem but it was beat anyhow so I replaced it. I highly recommend using a balancer installer tool. This Cal-Van is the same as the Snap-On/Blue-Point one for half the price: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/CAL-388.html (they have a minimum order $ but they have good prices and customer service). You can probably get away with a cheap puller, I like the OTC 525 though, good for the price and their pullers are all interchangeable. __________________ '70 K-20 San Diego, CA

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