harmonic balancer again

[ro.co2]

Well everything has been going great since I installed my harmonic balancer a while back. Its a press on small journal 327-1965. But as we were driving about 50 miles from home at around 70mph. it came off. Could of been worse it did no damage except to the fan blades, mostly alot of orange paint on them. So what I need to know is, has any body drilled, tapped and installed a bolt in one of these while the engine is in the car. I've made up my mind its going to have a bolt no matter what. Thanks for any help. Roland.

 

[JohnZ]

If it walked off, it either wasn't fully seated or either the crank snout O.D. or damper I.D. is worn beyond spec so the press-fit was inadequate; the bolt is the best insurance, but I don't think any machinist would try it with the engine in the car. A film of Loctite "Bearing Mount" on the fit surfaces will keep it from walking off, but it'll be Hell getting it off next time.

 

[ro.co2]

By the way is the bolt used a reverse thread or not. Thanks for the reply John.
Roland.

 

[WayneC]

>>> is the bolt used a reverse thread or not <<<

I don't happen to know, but since the balancer is keyed so it can't rotate on the crankshaft, and you'd probably use loktite on the bolt anyway, I doubt that it matters.

 

[ro.co2]

Thanks Wayne.
Roland

 

[BLACK MOON]

It's a right hand thread. I had one once with the same problem. Buy a new bolt and a bottom tap and clean up the thread. Start it by hand before putting the handle on it. Blow it out with air once in a while and use a lubricant when tapping. Use locktite when you insert the bolt. Don't over torque. Actually don't torque much past 30 ft/lbs.

Hope it helps.

 

[ro.co2]

Thanks again for all the replys.I've read everything posted and at first I was a little nervous. But after looking at the crank snout there is a dimple in the end of it, also I found it has a hole about a 1/2" deep that must be a guide for a puller. Anyway I stuck a 5/16" bit into he hole and it fit perfect so I'am thinking this cant be that hard to drill with a pilot hole like that. I got a longer bit put my laser line on the bit sticking out of the hole and I could see the angle that I needed to keep while drilling. The side to side I used my father in law from above looking down to make sure it stayed steady, and beleave me this guy can see me doing something wrong all the way from his house. After drilling we tapped the hole 7/16x14 , used a grade 8 bolt with a liped washer and lock washer with locktite red on the threads. NOw is this the best way to do it ,no but if I'am going to pull this motor its going to be to replace worn parts or for something catasrophic not a balancer.
I took the car out today and ran it hard and everything is ok so far. I marked the bolt to see if there was any movement ,none, but time will tell. I might pull it again and just replace the balancer with a new one or try that idea of the sleeve.
Thanks Roland.