Spacer for harmonic balancer? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sport/Truck · 10-25-2007, 10:40 PM

I stoped by the auto hobby shop (Kirtland AFB) and mentioned my dilemma with my mismatched pulleys to the manager. (he seems to know his stuff, and has never steered me wrong before)
He said there’s a spacer that goes on the crank between the timing gear & harmonic balancer. He said it’s about an 1/8 in thick. That’s about what my pulleys are off.
Has anyone heard of such a spacer? What are the spacers that summit sells?
s/t

**Green Machine** · 10-25-2007, 10:47 PM

I think he is FOS. Chevy never put a spacer in there, nor would you want one in there.

Sport/Truck · 10-25-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Machine

I think he is FOS. Chevy never put a spacer in there, nor would you want one in there.

I need something!!! my pulleys are off alignment. Link to my dilemma http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=261084
s/t

jhow66 · 10-25-2007, 11:18 PM

You are using the wrong pulleys. Long pump-one set of pulleys. short pump-one set of pulleys.

Sport/Truck · 10-25-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhow66

You are using the wrong pulleys. Long pump-one set of pulleys. short pump-one set of pulleys.

I have the stock crank pulleys now, but no change. I believe the water pump pulley is correct. I bought one from a BB vendor here and it measures the same.
s/t

**truckdude239** · 10-25-2007, 11:28 PM

what balancer are you running on the truck? may not be the right balanceror it is maded wrong

Sport/Truck · 10-25-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdude239

what balancer are you running on the truck? may not be the right balanceror it is maded wrong

It’s a Pioneer for a 350 from summit & is exactly like the old one. I believe my old one is original too as very little was bothered on this truck. (It was misaligned too.)
I went to a car dealer in town and seen some stock setups on original trucks, and one of his was off too.
I really don’t know what to think.

One idea I have is to hack off the neck on my old harmonic balancer, and turn a 1/8 ring out of the center and make my own spacer. (for between the balancer & timing gear.
Pros & cons to this Idea?

s/t

Husker · 10-25-2007, 11:41 PM

The shims Summit sell are to go between the Balancer and the Pulley. Mine was off a bit put a shim in and matches up Pretty Good now. The shims are different thicknesses of aluminum.
Ron

blue 71 · 10-25-2007, 11:54 PM

you probably have already looked, but sometimes there is a
plastic spacer between the pulley and water pump mounting hub
i found that this was keeping mine out of align.

Sport/Truck · 10-26-2007, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue 71

you probably have already looked, but sometimes there is a
plastic spacer between the pulley and water pump mounting hub
i found that this was keeping mine out of align.

Yes, I did look, no spacers there.
Thanks,
s/t

**truckdude239** · 10-26-2007, 07:30 AM

before i went to cutting my balancer i would use a spacer behind the pully if it was me

**VetteVet** · 10-26-2007, 10:46 AM

On the older smallblocks chevy put an oil deflector behind the balancer to help with oil leaks at the timing cover seal. I think it was the 283s and older smallblocks. I'm going from memory on this, LOL . It was not 1/8th inch though, more like 18 gauge. They discontinued these when the timing cover seals got better. That may be what the Hobby shop guy was referring to. I've been trying to find something on it and maybe a picture.
I agree with Jhow66 on the long and short water pump pulleys. I also wouldn't put a spacer behind the dampener, it would throw everything else off. You might get away with taking an old pulley and cutting the belt grooves off so you'd have a flat shim to go behind the crank pulley. My advice is get the right parts and go factory.

68Stepbed · 10-26-2007, 03:13 PM

S/T get us some pics of everything mounted on the engine. Some of us may be able to identify the problem by looking at it.

**Green Machine** · 10-27-2007, 04:17 PM

If you are just dealing with the water pump, you can remove it and press the flange on the shaft in or out to match the crank, I have had to do this before, cheap rebuilt pumps are not alway set at the right distance.

Sport/Truck · 10-27-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Machine

If you are just dealing with the water pump, you can remove it and press the flange on the shaft in or out to match the crank, I have had to do this before, cheap rebuilt pumps are not alway set at the right distance.

My pump is new (not reman) but I tried that idea on my old pump. But I thought you pressed the whole shaft deeper in the back (through the impeller). It caved in the impeller on the pump.

Didn’t look like the flange on my old pump would move anyway. I'll look at it again and see.
s/t

*Billla* · 10-27-2007, 05:11 PM

I've honestly never seen this issue unless a) wrong pullies as Jhow noted or b) balancer not fully pressed on the crank nose. I agree that I wouldn't cut the balancer in any way.

I don't see an issue with a spacer as long as the engine isn't turning beyond 5500 RPM or so, but I agree that I'd do some comparison with factory stuff and see how things line up.

**passthebuck** · 10-27-2007, 06:54 PM

The last waterpump I put on my truck, the flange that the pulley bolts to was pushed 1/8" too far on. A few washers glued to the back of the pulley with silicone fixed that...

matthufham · 10-27-2007, 11:43 PM

i had the same problem and threw washers behind the crank pulley to space it off the balancer

skokie · 10-28-2007, 01:02 AM

I ran into this issue as well when I replaced my balancer. The old one was 1/8s thicker than the new one. Just about drove me bonkers trying to figure that one out.

68C15 · 10-28-2007, 07:48 AM

pull the balancer and look at the crank timing gear. there should be a flange to the front (kind of like a step) with the inner surface being flat and squared to the front face. there should also be a dot for alinging with the cam gear for TDC.

my theory is that someone changed the gears and put the crank gear on backwards. the crankshaft has a radius on the front that matches to a radius on the inside of the gear.

10-25-2007, 10:40 PM	#1
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Spacer for harmonic balancer? I stoped by the auto hobby shop (Kirtland AFB) and mentioned my dilemma with my mismatched pulleys to the manager. (he seems to know his stuff, and has never steered me wrong before) He said there’s a spacer that goes on the crank between the timing gear & harmonic balancer. He said it’s about an 1/8 in thick. That’s about what my pulleys are off. Has anyone heard of such a spacer? What are the spacers that summit sells? s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

10-25-2007, 10:47 PM	#2
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? I think he is FOS. Chevy never put a spacer in there, nor would you want one in there. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

10-25-2007, 11:18 PM	#4
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? You are using the wrong pulleys. Long pump-one set of pulleys. short pump-one set of pulleys. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

10-25-2007, 11:28 PM	#6
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,233	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? what balancer are you running on the truck? may not be the right balanceror it is maded wrong __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube Last edited by truckdude239; 10-25-2007 at 11:29 PM.

10-25-2007, 11:41 PM	#8
Husker Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mid NE USA Posts: 2,212	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? The shims Summit sell are to go between the Balancer and the Pulley. Mine was off a bit put a shim in and matches up Pretty Good now. The shims are different thicknesses of aluminum. Ron __________________ Member #111 68 C-10 Daily Driver 70 4x4 Project 76 Jeep CJ-5 Help Support the Board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson

10-25-2007, 11:54 PM	#9
blue 71 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bryant, Arkansas Posts: 56	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? you probably have already looked, but sometimes there is a plastic spacer between the pulley and water pump mounting hub i found that this was keeping mine out of align.

10-26-2007, 07:30 AM	#11
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,233	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? before i went to cutting my balancer i would use a spacer behind the pully if it was me __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

10-26-2007, 10:46 AM	#12
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,709	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? On the older smallblocks chevy put an oil deflector behind the balancer to help with oil leaks at the timing cover seal. I think it was the 283s and older smallblocks. I'm going from memory on this, LOL . It was not 1/8th inch though, more like 18 gauge. They discontinued these when the timing cover seals got better. That may be what the Hobby shop guy was referring to. I've been trying to find something on it and maybe a picture. I agree with Jhow66 on the long and short water pump pulleys. I also wouldn't put a spacer behind the dampener, it would throw everything else off. You might get away with taking an old pulley and cutting the belt grooves off so you'd have a flat shim to go behind the crank pulley. My advice is get the right parts and go factory. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

10-26-2007, 03:13 PM	#13
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? S/T get us some pics of everything mounted on the engine. Some of us may be able to identify the problem by looking at it. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

10-27-2007, 04:17 PM	#14
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? If you are just dealing with the water pump, you can remove it and press the flange on the shaft in or out to match the crank, I have had to do this before, cheap rebuilt pumps are not alway set at the right distance. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

10-27-2007, 05:11 PM	#16
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? I've honestly never seen this issue unless a) wrong pullies as Jhow noted or b) balancer not fully pressed on the crank nose. I agree that I wouldn't cut the balancer in any way. I don't see an issue with a spacer as long as the engine isn't turning beyond 5500 RPM or so, but I agree that I'd do some comparison with factory stuff and see how things line up.

10-27-2007, 06:54 PM	#17
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? The last waterpump I put on my truck, the flange that the pulley bolts to was pushed 1/8" too far on. A few washers glued to the back of the pulley with silicone fixed that... __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

10-27-2007, 11:43 PM	#18
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? i had the same problem and threw washers behind the crank pulley to space it off the balancer

10-28-2007, 01:02 AM	#19
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,334	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? I ran into this issue as well when I replaced my balancer. The old one was 1/8s thicker than the new one. Just about drove me bonkers trying to figure that one out. __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

10-28-2007, 07:48 AM	#20
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: Spacer for harmonic balancer? pull the balancer and look at the crank timing gear. there should be a flange to the front (kind of like a step) with the inner surface being flat and squared to the front face. there should also be a dot for alinging with the cam gear for TDC. my theory is that someone changed the gears and put the crank gear on backwards. the crankshaft has a radius on the front that matches to a radius on the inside of the gear.



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