Harmonic Balancer Bolt - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Richard Dobson · 12-14-2007, 09:55 AM

How can I remove the bolt from my harmonic balancer?

jsbgump · 12-14-2007, 09:59 AM

Just unbolt it is all you have to do. Then you'd need a harmonic balancer puller to get the balancer off.

chev74 · 12-14-2007, 10:05 AM

its really just a bolt dude.... just need some room to get to it is all. I would reccommend getting underneath the truck and undo it from the ground. just less stuff in the way.

Yeller68 · 12-14-2007, 10:38 AM

Also drop the flywheel cover, and use a large bladed screwdriver to keep the engine from turning.

dave2953 · 12-14-2007, 10:44 AM

They aren't too bad to remove. The fan and shroud got in the way on mine, but they may not be a problem for you depending on your setup.

Richard Dobson · 12-14-2007, 01:56 PM

The engine is outa my truck along with the tranny, I need some way to keep the engine from turning when I try to loosen the harmonic balancer bolt. I guess I will do Like Yeller 68 says drop the the flex plate cover and use a big screwdriver to hold the flex plate to keep the engine from turning right? Thanks guys.

chev74 · 12-14-2007, 02:48 PM

yeah, the screwdriver is the easiest way. really helps to have two people as well

**michael bustamante** · 12-14-2007, 02:53 PM

if you have access to a chain wrench, you could wrap the chain around the balancer and turn the bolt

Bob D · 12-14-2007, 03:27 PM

This may be a no-no, but I used an electric impact wrench to get mine off. Worked great.

Bob

1968SWBBigBlock · 12-14-2007, 04:04 PM

Impact wrench OR use a 1/2" breaker bar and smack it with a dead blow hammer. This will allow it pop loose until you can turn it on your own, the key is to smack it with the hammer

*Billla* · 12-14-2007, 04:12 PM

If it's out, turn it over, pull the pan and put a wooden hammer handle between the block and the crankshaft counterweight.

I also use one of these regularly with good results.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

**VetteVet** · 12-14-2007, 07:03 PM

What I do is take the engine pulley off and put two longer bolts in the holes where the engine pulley mount holes were. Then I take a large screwdriver and put it under one of the bolts and over the other one. That gives me a way to keep the balancer from turning and you don't have to worry about the outer ring on the balancer turning if you're holding it with a chain or strap wrench.
Actually if I can get to it I use my air impact wrench on the bolt but in case an impact isn't available the other way works great.

Richard Dobson · 12-15-2007, 02:35 AM

I'm taking the harmonic balancer off so that I can paint the engine, the timing chain cover is nasty, rusty and needs to be replaced or blasted and repainted. Will a impact wrench cause any damage to engine bearings? Thanks guys.

12-14-2007, 09:55 AM	#1
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	Harmonic Balancer Bolt How can I remove the bolt from my harmonic balancer? __________________ Richard Dobson

12-14-2007, 09:59 AM	#2
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt Just unbolt it is all you have to do. Then you'd need a harmonic balancer puller to get the balancer off. __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

12-14-2007, 10:05 AM	#3
chev74 Addicted to Chevy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tyler, Tx Posts: 857	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt its really just a bolt dude.... just need some room to get to it is all. I would reccommend getting underneath the truck and undo it from the ground. just less stuff in the way.

12-14-2007, 10:38 AM	#4
Yeller68 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Villa Rica, Ga Posts: 297	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt Also drop the flywheel cover, and use a large bladed screwdriver to keep the engine from turning.

12-14-2007, 10:44 AM	#5
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt They aren't too bad to remove. The fan and shroud got in the way on mine, but they may not be a problem for you depending on your setup. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

12-14-2007, 01:56 PM	#6
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt The engine is outa my truck along with the tranny, I need some way to keep the engine from turning when I try to loosen the harmonic balancer bolt. I guess I will do Like Yeller 68 says drop the the flex plate cover and use a big screwdriver to hold the flex plate to keep the engine from turning right? Thanks guys. __________________ Richard Dobson

12-14-2007, 02:48 PM	#7
chev74 Addicted to Chevy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tyler, Tx Posts: 857	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt yeah, the screwdriver is the easiest way. really helps to have two people as well

12-14-2007, 02:53 PM	#8
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,862	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt if you have access to a chain wrench, you could wrap the chain around the balancer and turn the bolt __________________ 1967custom

12-14-2007, 03:27 PM	#9
Bob D Rolled on Paint Club Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Windham, CT. Posts: 232	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt This may be a no-no, but I used an electric impact wrench to get mine off. Worked great. Bob __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 swb fleetside SB 355ci. Smog heads Summit 1102 cam Performer intake and carb. Finally in about 1 piece in the yard.

12-14-2007, 04:04 PM	#10
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt Impact wrench OR use a 1/2" breaker bar and smack it with a dead blow hammer. This will allow it pop loose until you can turn it on your own, the key is to smack it with the hammer __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

12-14-2007, 04:12 PM	#11
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,814	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt If it's out, turn it over, pull the pan and put a wooden hammer handle between the block and the crankshaft counterweight. I also use one of these regularly with good results. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

12-14-2007, 07:03 PM	#12
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt What I do is take the engine pulley off and put two longer bolts in the holes where the engine pulley mount holes were. Then I take a large screwdriver and put it under one of the bolts and over the other one. That gives me a way to keep the balancer from turning and you don't have to worry about the outer ring on the balancer turning if you're holding it with a chain or strap wrench. Actually if I can get to it I use my air impact wrench on the bolt but in case an impact isn't available the other way works great. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

12-15-2007, 02:35 AM	#13
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolt I'm taking the harmonic balancer off so that I can paint the engine, the timing chain cover is nasty, rusty and needs to be replaced or blasted and repainted. Will a impact wrench cause any damage to engine bearings? Thanks guys. __________________ Richard Dobson



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