C2 "173" 8 inch finned harmonic balancer questions

[Tracy C.]

I recently picked up a decent used 3817173 balancer for my 63. The rubber is in great shape, no hammer marks or input shaft oil seal groove.....yahoo!

Questions...

1) How does one know if a used harmonic balancer is still properly balanced?

2)How would minor surface pitting on the input shaft affect the timing chain cover oil seal performance? (This piece apparently had a few years of shelf time and developed some very mild surface rust along the way)

3) Dia. of the input shaft is 1.767. Is it possible to machine a few thousandths off the input shaft to clean it up without adversely affecting the contact pressure with the oil seal? (they are spring loaded ya know) I'm aware the machining operation would need to accurately concentric with the existing dia.

thanks
tc

[Paul E. Young]

Re: C2 "173" 8 inch finned harmonic balancer quest

Terry, Most parts stores sell a stainless steel sleeve that you can drive right over the questionable area. Happy driving. Paul

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 "173" 8 inch finned harmonic balancer quest

tracy-----

An engine balance shop can check and adjust, if necessary, the balancer.

Also, as Paul mentioned you can obtain a balancer repair sleeve from any number of sources. These press on over the existing sealing area of the balancer and provide a new sealing surface. The standard seals have enough range to "adapt" to the slightly larger OD which results from the repair sleeve's installation. Most of the repair sleeves that I've seen are chromed steel. The chrome surface provides are very hard and wear-resistant surface for the seal. However, if there are stainless steel versions of this sleeve out there, I think that they would be better.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

Also, apply Locktite high strength anaerobic sleeve locking compound to the inner surface of the repair sleeve (or, the outer surface of the balancer sealing surface) before installing it. Make sure that the repair sleeve is pressed on ABSOLUTELY STRAIGHT-AND-TRUE. If any distortion of the repair sleeve is noted after installation, remove it immediately and press on a new one. Do this until you get it right or you'll get a leak.

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 "173" 8 inch finned harmonic balancer quest

A couple of brand names for sleeves are National "Redi Sleeve" and Chicago Rawhide "Speedy Sleeve"

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 "173" 8 inch finned harmonic balancer quest

A couple of part numbers for the sleeves are Carquest 88176 and Chicago Rawhide 99176

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 "173" 8 inch finned harmonic balancer quest

TC - the repair sleeves everyone mentions do work well, but the OD can tolerate a small undersizing with too much trouble. I have done this on differential yokes as well....but then I have a metal lathe so I like the challenge. What I would do is turn a mandrel with a tight slip fit in the balancer bore, using a tailstock support. Then slip the balancer on, and use a few drops of loctite to anchor the balancer (blue not red). Then, with the tailstock support in place, lightly dress the seal surface with a new carbide cutter, followed by a fine file and some emery/crocus cloth. Sound like too much hassle and work?...then you can go with the sleeve..... Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 "173" 8 inch finned harmonic balancer quest

Meant to say "without too much trouble"....Craig

[Tracy C.]

Thanks to all. Here's a trick I learned last time

I installed one of the repair sleeves...

Found the sleeve to be an interference fit with the balancer and didn't want to hose it up by beating it on. I put the balancer in the freezer over night (contraction) and then placed the sleeve in boiling water (expansion) prior to installation. I then lightly tapped it in place with a piece of wood large enough to cover the sleeve perimeter.

After temperature equilbrium occured, I twisted it off and applied the loctite that was supplied with the sleeve and reinstalled. This provided just enough resizing of the sleeve to allow easy installation with the slippery loctite.

I've been told the repair sleeves can be problematic and have never ran one long enough to know what the life expectancy might be.

I'll try the sandpaper routine Craig suggested first and resort to the sleeve if I have leakage problems. The surface pitting issue really doesn't look that bad and is barely detectable with a fingernail.

thanks again,
tc

[Craig S.]

Re: Thanks to all. Here's a trick I learned last t

TC - another trick I use is the green scotchbrite scuff pads. Especially if it is worn, it leaves a nice finish on these areas, escpecially if used went in a solvent tank....Craig