After having belt squeak and looking at my fan belts I was reminded of how my harmonic balancer has a wobble to it. How difficult is this while the engine is in the Blazer?
CK5
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How to replace Harmonic Balancer on Stock 350
- Thread starter Chief Brody
- Start date
Remove crank bolt. Use a puller to pull the balancer off the crank snout. Lightly lube the seal surface on the new balancer and use the bolt to pull it onto the crank.
The hardest part is having enough elbow room to do the work without wanting to shoot yourself in the face. I would guess the fan, belts, and fan shroud would need to come out just so you have some room to work. You might want to pull the rad too...having it in there runs the risk of damaging it while you're working in that area. The replacement of the balancer itself isn't hard though.
The hardest part is having enough elbow room to do the work without wanting to shoot yourself in the face. I would guess the fan, belts, and fan shroud would need to come out just so you have some room to work. You might want to pull the rad too...having it in there runs the risk of damaging it while you're working in that area. The replacement of the balancer itself isn't hard though.
rampage
3/4 ton status
Putting the balancer in the oven to make the hole slightly larger will make it go on easier. Just make sure it’s one that doesn’t have anything inside that’ll get damaged by the heat.
I removed and re-installed the balancer on my 454 in the crew cab. I rented a good puller tool from Advance Auto Parts (and I later bought one to keep). Post is here: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/89-r...onversion-beyond.303347/page-193#post-3907008
I did have to make a tool to hold the crank from spinning while I torqued the bolt.
I did have to make a tool to hold the crank from spinning while I torqued the bolt.
wow your replys blow me away 
on some of them . yes you might have gotten lucky but this is not the kind of info i would be passing out to someone doing this job for the first time .
how many people strip the crank or bolt gets stuck in the crank . use a installer tool for best results .
put it in the oven ? have you ever looked at a balancer ? there rubber ringed or fluid filled inside so major heat from a oven will kill it or shorten its life span for sure . and the seal could get damaged in the timing cover also .
and do NOT use a hammer method to install it . you can brake the thrust flange on the crank shaft if you get to crazy or have bad luck .
on some of them . yes you might have gotten lucky but this is not the kind of info i would be passing out to someone doing this job for the first time . how many people strip the crank or bolt gets stuck in the crank . use a installer tool for best results .
put it in the oven ? have you ever looked at a balancer ? there rubber ringed or fluid filled inside so major heat from a oven will kill it or shorten its life span for sure . and the seal could get damaged in the timing cover also .
and do NOT use a hammer method to install it . you can brake the thrust flange on the crank shaft if you get to crazy or have bad luck .
A puller/ installation tool is required to do a quality job. Can be rented at most Auto stores.
He is correct. Using the bolt to install works most of the time but it can easily strip threads. Use the installer tool.wow your replys blow me away
how many people strip the crank or bolt gets stuck in the crank . use a installer tool for best results .
put it in the oven ? have you ever looked at a balancer ? there rubber ringed or fluid filled inside so major heat from a oven will kill it or shorten its life span for sure . and the seal could get damaged in the timing cover also .
and do NOT use a hammer method to install it . you can brake the thrust flange on the crank shaft if you get to crazy or have bad luck .
rampage
3/4 ton status
wow your replys blow me away
how many people strip the crank or bolt gets stuck in the crank . use a installer tool for best results .
put it in the oven ? have you ever looked at a balancer ? there rubber ringed or fluid filled inside so major heat from a oven will kill it or shorten its life span for sure . and the seal could get damaged in the timing cover also .
and do NOT use a hammer method to install it . you can brake the thrust flange on the crank shaft if you get to crazy or have bad luck .
Not to start a war, but it’s been posted before by respected members.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/harm...tallation-more-answers-than-questions.299818/
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/need-to-install-harmonic-balancer.311406/#post-3356260
like i said each to there own ........but atleast post the CORRECT way first to give some informed choice options .
i have watched the o.p. from his first days here and he has learned a lot the HARD way . . . so this is why i posted what i did the way i did .
i have watched the o.p. from his first days here and he has learned a lot the HARD way . . . so this is why i posted what i did the way i did .
Using the installer tool is the correct way. Most balancer pullers come as a kit with both the puller and the installer anyways. The fit is generally no more than "snug" anyways.
be careful installing, most installers are cheesy... we've snapped every one we've ever bought at the marina.. I do custom grade 8 threaded rod installers for all our stuff.. just cut to length.. DO NOT USE A BOLT!
Anything I need to know when buying one? Is one better than the other? Do they come with a new key?
it won't come with a key... i'm useless on buying for an auto, all my stuff is coming from merc, etc.... but yeah, you can get high performance stuff, fluiddamper, etc
Dorman is the overwhelming available standard replacement balancer
i'm sure that would be fine.. tho Dormans rep has been a little iffy in recent yrs from my understanding....
I used Professional Products piece on my 454, no issues, its what my engine machinist bought for my combo.
check for your specific application...
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pfs-80000/applications
check for your specific application...
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pfs-80000/applications
I am looking at Summit and they have AC Delco but there are a hundred...can't seem to narrow it down to what was stock on my engine.
I'd like to get the AC Delco but I dont know if mine is internal or external 6 or 8 inch...etc...etc...They don't go back further than 1982
Measuring tape. replace with same size. Also the 305 is different from the 350. Timing is in a different spot, ask me how I know. 400 is external. Unless you have a 383 it should be internal.
400 is external. Unless you have a 383 it should be internal.
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wasted wages
1 ton status
Second the professional products from summit... just installed one on my small block in the luv truck,.. nice fit, finish, and installed smoothly.
After 35 years of renting, borrowing removers and installers, hammering them on, using bolts to draw them on... I finally bought a really nice puller/installer kit from summit. It has a nice ball bearing center and thrust bearing that makes installation a snap.
Heating them up in an oven is ok...just don't go crazy...150-175° is fine...it probably gets that hot anyway...
After 35 years of renting, borrowing removers and installers, hammering them on, using bolts to draw them on... I finally bought a really nice puller/installer kit from summit. It has a nice ball bearing center and thrust bearing that makes installation a snap.
Heating them up in an oven is ok...just don't go crazy...150-175° is fine...it probably gets that hot anyway...
