Harmonic Balancer Install

[coptertom]

Need a little bit of help with the installation of a new harmonic balancer on my stock L81 engine. I have the balancer on approx 1" and it will not go any further. I oiled up the cam shaft prior to installing the balancer and I am using a harmonic balancer install tool. It almost appears as though it is stuck on something. I still have about 1-1/4 inches to go and it will not budge. It looks like the key is in place so I don't know what could be stopping it. I stopped where I was at (figured that I would stop before I really mess things up and ask for some advice).

I thought that since I was utilizing the proper harmonic balancer install tool, that the balancer would go on nice and smooth. Is it possible that I have to use a longer rachet (breaker bar) to force it on?

Any sugguestions would be great. Also, how far onto the cam shaft does the balancer press on?

Thanks

 

[Tom Bryant]

I thought that since I was utilizing the proper harmonic balancer install tool, that the balancer would go on nice and smooth. Is it possible that I have to use a longer rachet (breaker bar) to force it on?

Any sugguestions would be great. Also, how far onto the cam shaft does the balancer press on?

Thanks

I know that you are saying cam and mean to say crankshaft. The balancer is a press on interferance fit even on engines that have the retainer bolt in the end of the crankshaft. You need to block your flywheel from turning by taking the torque converter inspection cover off. Stick a long screwdriver or punch through one of the holes on the flex plate (flywheel) and turn the engine clockwise until it is stopped by the screwdriver up against the block and tranny.

It does take enough force on the installer bolt to turn the engine in order to move the balancer onto the crankshaft snout. If it won't move any further and you pulling really hard on it then something is array. Remove the balancer and look things over. Check that the key isn't cocked in the keyway, check the crank snout and inside the balancer shaft for any kind of burr. They must be smooth. If you replaced the seal is it in right and the right one? Not much chance for error here though.

Since you need to get the keyway lined up before it will even begin to go on that isn't the problem. Lightly oil the crank snout and inside the balancer hub. Start tightening the installer and as long as the balancer moves along keep gong. It does take some effort since these are designed to stay on without the balancer bolt. Not all small blocks use the retaining bolt. Keep going until it seats firmly. You will know when it stops. You can slip on your pulleys and check groove alignment to make sure that you are there.

Tom

 

[coptertom]

Tom thanks for your advise. When I get home today I am going to take another look at it, and yes I did mean to say crankshaft......I'll pull the balancer off and check to if the keyway is the problem. I picked up a new keyway, just in case. I know that this is a silly question but, how will I know when the balancer is pulled on all the way? How many inches should the balancer be from the timing chain cover?

If I am successful with installing the balancer, then I have to figure out how to put everything back together!

Thanks,

 

[6880 Mike]

Now is the time to stop and determine what is keeping the balancer from seating properly. Don't try to force it. Do you have the correct balancer? Are you sure the crank key is not holding it up? Have key and key way lined up?

 

[Bill75]

Something else to look at.................I replaced the timing cover on my ZZ4 and the new one had a sensor pickup "Boss" that was right in the way and I couldn't press the balancer on all the way. I ended up tossing it and getting a different timing cover.

 

[coptertom]

OK............I should stick to flying Helicopters! Went to a motor shop and looked at a couple of balancers installed on other small block 350's. Got home to take another look and found that I did install the balancer properly. A picture as they say is worth a thousand words. I kept looking at the space between the back of the balancer and the timing chain cover and thought that the balancer had further to go. I of course was wrong.

Now that I've figured out that the balancer is installed correctly, I have to try and remember how to re-install the water pump, alternator and radiator.

I bagged all the bolts in individual zip lock bags and labeled them. The bad part is that I must have mis-placed the bag of bolts for the water pump. Would any body know what size bolts are used to mount the pump? They are not listed in the manual that I have. I know that there are three bolts of the same size and one bolt that is longer. If I can figure out the sizes, maybe I can pick them up at a hardware store.

Thanks,

 

[Tom Bryant]

If you bagged all of your bolts you must have tnem. There are 4 different length bolts. 2 shorter for the top ( 1 with an integral stud on the end for alternator bracket mounting that goes in the drivers side top). A medium lenght bolt goes in the drivers side bottom and a long bolt goes in the passenger side bottom. You won't find the bolt with the stud at a hardware or parts store. It's GM specific. I'll see if I can get a picture of the left (drivers) side. You can't see the passenger side without taking things apart.