Question for 396 owners

[flip66]

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]

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]

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

[robby]

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]

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

[68c10owner]

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]

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.