harmonic balancer installation

[Tom Jacobs]

Looking for tips on installation of harmonic balancer.

[Joe L.]

Re: harmonic balancer installation

Actually, harmonic balancer installation is a fairly straight-forward operation. That is, if you have a harmonic balancer installation tool. This is a must if you are to perform this operation properly. Using this tool is quite simple: install the threaded portion of the tool into the crank snout bolt hole, install balancer on the crank hub and secure with the large nut provided with the tool, insuring that the balancer is squarely centered on the snout, and rotate the nut, drawing the balancer onto the snout.

A few other tips:

1) When you purchase a tool, make sure that you get the type that uses a thrust bearing between the nut and the balancer. Some tools use just a large, thick flat washer. This makes for a very difficult effort in turning the nut. If you already have a tool with the washer, you can buy a suitable thrust bearing from an industrial bearing supply house.

2) Do not install the balancer using a hammer or mallet. That process poses great risk to the balancer and the crankshaft thrust bearing.

3) If you have a very early style crankshaft without a drilled and tapped snout, I don't think that you have any option other than using a mallet. In that unfortunate case, you'll have to be as careful as possible. Use a brass mallet and tap only on the center portion of the balancer. Use only the amount of force absolutely necessary to install the balancer. The smallest blows that will produce slight movement of the balancer is the plan.

4) coat the crankshaft hub with a light coat of EP chassis lube prior to installing the balancer. Also, lubricate the tool's nut and thrust bearing with this grease.

[Gene M.]

Re: harmonic balancer installation

Tom, First replace the lip seal on the cover. This is best accomplished with the cover and pan off the engine. Insure that the outer diameter of the balancer where the seal rides does not have a groove. If it does obtain a sleeve to press over this diameter.Tap it on very carefully , better to press it on in a small arbor press. Wire wheel this diameter prior to assembly of the sleeve. Many of the seal kits come with this sleeve. The inner bore of the harmonic balance wheel should be cleaned up by running a small wire wheel in a honing motion with a power hand drill. This removes any burrs or rust, remember this is about .001"slip press fit. Then oil up this bore once you wiped it down. Now look at the crank end replace the key if it looks bad. Some times a small amount of file work can clean the key up. I say this cause removal is not easy with the motor assembled. Cranks that have two keys make this job easy vs a single key design. Obtain a longer bolt (if the crank is threaded for a bolt) use this bolt to draw the balancer in steping down to the original bolt as nearing comlpletion of press. If not threaded on crank this will require a puller that can reach around to the fly wheel side of the crank for back up. Do not hammer on,this will disrupt the outer ring.