C1 Harmonic Balancer question

[Anthony F.]

Can anyone help me with a GM part number and/or pictures of the harmonic balancer for the 59 FI engine? Was there any part numbers or other identification on the balancer? I traded off mine in 1963 and need to replace it.

I know that Paragon offers a reproduction, their number 343, but I would like to try and find an original rather than a repro. At present I have not been able to find any information in all my books that would lead me in the right direction.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Tony

[Jerry C.]

Re: C1 Harmonic Balancer question

The JG shows only one high horspower balancer. Look in your guide and you will see that the repros have to be modified. Good luck looking for an original as I have been looking for ten years.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Harmonic Balancer question

Tony-----

The balancer you seek was GM #3764318. However, I don't think that this number or any derivative thereof will be found on the balancer.

The GM #3764318 was used in PRODUCTION for 1959-61 Corvettes with solid lifter engines. It was also used for a few rather uncommon passenger car applications including 59-61 with 348 and 3X2 and some 62 409 applications. So, there were never a lot of these "out there".

To make matters worse, the GM #3764318 was discontinued from SERVICE in November, 1962 and replaced by GM #3817684. Later, that was replaced by GM #3861968 and, later yet, by GM #3861970. Finally, in June, 1971 the GM #3896904 became the SERVICE balancer and it remains so to this day. I don't think that any of the balancers which replaced the 3764318 are configured like that balancer. I KNOW that the currently available 3896904 is not, but it is 100% functional.

[Loren L.]

I believe that the Paragon offering is the

balancer being sold as 3764318 by Goat Hill Classics - a machined down
blancer from another Chevrolet balancer that can NEVER be made to look correct.. Goat Hill's solution is a 6 1/2" diamter pully with holes in the outer ring.
The blueprint for 3764318 (which Icannot find right now - another "filing system" breakdown) shows a balancer slightly more than 6" in diameter, with a step down TO THE REAR approximately 5/8" in width. The blueprint also specifies "NO HOLES IN THE OUTER RING".
They are out there. The last one I found was on a '61 "CS" short block at a yard sale - $75 for the short block with the baffled pan and balancer.

[Anthony F.]

[James O.]

Re: C1 Harmonic Balancer question

when you say the 3896904 balancer is available, where do you get it? i am stalled on my 270 h.p. build. it sounds like originals are hard to find and all of the repros are way off the mark . am i getting this right or does someone make a good repro?

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Harmonic Balancer question

james----

You get the GM #3896904 balancer from GM; it's about 60 bucks, GM list.

However, this is a REPLACEMENT balancer for C1 applications. It's NOT a reproduction of or original for ANY C1. It is an original balancer for 1967 300 hp applications.