Harmonic Balancer

[Ray C.]

Hi!
When installing the harmomic balancer on a 1965 250 HP small block, how do you determine when the balancer has bottomed out or in its correct position.

Thanks for any help!
Ray

[Gerry Proctor]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

The damper will be bottomed out when it can no longer move on the crank. It will contact the crank timing gear and go no more. As to the right position, as long as you've installed the woodruf key on the crank, it can only go on one way. Ensure you are using a damper installation tool. By hammering on the damper you may damage the damper and will likely damage the thrust bearing. You do not want to entertain either one of these gremlins.

[Ray C.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Thanks! Ray

[MIKE GEARY]

Re: Harmonic Balancer

Ray: Be aware that the balancer installation tool requires that your crankshaft has a tapped hole in the snout. The original 250-300 horse motors did NOT come with this feature. Hopefully your crank was gone through at some point and had the nose drilled/tapped. If you end up hammering it on, I believe the service manual shows the safest procedure. When fully seated, the timing tab will almost overlap the balancer.

MAG