Harmonic balancer....

[BIG*RED]

So I was going to install a gear drive yesterday. I went to remove the large center bolt that holds the harmonic balancer to the crank shaft, and it was loose..hmmm i thought. So i reached in with my hand and pulled it right out..
The threads are compealty gone on the first 1/4 inch or so, and its all stripped out..

So how long will a harmonic balancer stay on with out that bolt? I'm hopeing that since the balancer is pressed on there pretty good, and the fact that you have to use a puller to take it off, means that it will stay put..

What do you guys think?

 

[4X4HIGH]

The early engines, 265,283,302,327 never used a bolt. I would like to have the bolt for the added protection so i would say if only the frist 1/4" of threads in the crank are bad use a new bolt and install it.

 

[5trucks]

I concure but isn't it technically called a harmonic dampner.