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Need to install Harmonic balancer

max 02

max 02

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I painted my 454 and took the balancer off so I could do a nice job.

So now it`s time to reinstall. Any tips,or do I have to have a special tool.
Can I make a homemade one? :dunno:

No I`m not going to BFH it on with a block of wood! :doah::haha:
 
max 02 said:
I painted my 454 and took the balancer off so I could do a nice job.

So now it`s time to reinstall. Any tips,or do I have to have a special tool.
Can I make a homemade one? :dunno:

No I`m not going to BFH it on with a block of wood! :doah::haha:
Click to expand...


Ive just gotten it started with a rubber mallet to the point the bolt can suck it in.
 
max 02 said:
Everything I`ve read says you could ruin the thrust bearings by taping it on.
Click to expand...


Didn't say my way is right... Just the way ive done it :haha:

Ideally id say sucking it in with a bolt or a stud and a nut.....
 
I used an installer from the loaner tool program at auto zone.
 
I have ruined a few crank snout threads by using the pulling it on with the bolt method. It was a one time deal, it messed the threads up during install, that when it was to be removed at a later date, the threads were screwed up upon removal.

Use the correct tool for the job.
 
I found if you lightly oil the factory bolt threads, and sand the balancer and crank snout so there is no rust or burrs, the bolt will suck it in if you do it carefully and slowly, but the tool is the correct and safest way to do it.
 
You can heat the balancer in an oven (LOW HEAT!) for about 20 minutes, or use a heat gun, which will cause the balancer to expand slightly. Oil up the crank snout and it should go on pretty easily, use the old balancer bolt to seat it and replace the bolt. I did this on my Corvette, because no one had an LS specific installer and I didn't want to pay the money for one and rarely use it. Worked fine.
 
Do you guys who say "using a hammer will ruin "x" part" realize that some of us have done that for like over 30 yrs and never once had a problem.

If you cant afford the new right tool or afford to rent the tool, then use a hummer and a block of wood and some common sense, when you put it on.
 
threaded rod bottomed out in the crank, a big thick washer on the dampner, preferably a bearing against the washer, then another big thick washer then a nut to go on the threaded rod.
710-61744.jpg
 
Thanks guys!

I`ll see if I can borrow the tool from my mechanic buddy if he has one.

Or I will get a longer bolt from our machinist, and try the heat trick.
 
The tool is the right thing to use--of you have one...that said,I have put many on with a BFH and a wood block and had zero issues with the thrust bearings,though I know that can ruin them..but guess what--older engines before 1969 or so had NO hole drilled or tapped in the crank snout,so a BFH was the "proper tool" to use back in the day..a block of wood works well to absorb the shock that would damage the thrust bearing..


An old Motor's manual I had said you can use a brake cylinder hone to lightly hone the inner diameter if the balancer to ease installation,but they warned not to hone too much out or it will wobble on the crank...that would present a real dilema on the older 283's and 327's that lacked a threaded hole in the crank snout,it could fly off and become a missle..seen a few do just that even without being monkeyed with!..:eek1:
 
I had a pro form installer, broke it off in my 383. Cheaply made tool I guess.

I use a combination of hammer and keeping pressure on the balancer with the bolt

Just put the impact on it after a case of neers n see what happens maybe :whistle::haha:
 
Yeah it spun out easily atleast. Funny thing was it still wet on a quarter inch after I tightened the bolt down. I thought it broke cause it was bottomed :doah:
 
Borrowed this from my buddy, he just got it 2 days ago,I was the first one to use it!

Worked like a charm! :thumb:


 
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