Harmonic Balancer Size

[rgtrough]

Hey guys, what size balancer came on the stock '74 L82? I pulled my heads, put a piston stop on #1 cylinder and the timing mark lines up at 6* btdc. I was thinking my harmonic balancer is not the right size.
Thanks for any input. peace Bud :confused

 

[Jack]

Not sure on the size ... but if you're still running OE timing cover & tab ... should be no more than 1/4" gap between tab & damper's outer ring. And if you're running a cast iron 383 crank ... it's probably an external balance design ... if so, L82 damper should not be used with it ... even if it looks like it fits just fine. On the other hand, if your stroker crank is of internal balance design, L82 damper is AOK.

Are you running aftermarket timing cover or timing tab? If not matched to your damper, the mark & tab may not index correctly.
JACK:gap

 

[rgtrough]

Hey Jack, thanks for the reply. I am using the OE timing cover and tab. The tab seems to be in the proper location when compared to the balancer. My main problem is that I have been timing the engine using the mark on the balancer and the 0* mark on the tab. What I thought was 8* was really 2*? What I thought was 36* total was 30*? Any way this is strange to me. peace Bud

 

[Jack]

Hey Jack, thanks for the reply. I am using the OE timing cover and tab. The tab seems to be in the proper location when compared to the balancer. My main problem is that I have been timing the engine using the mark on the balancer and the 0* mark on the tab. What I thought was 8* was really 2*? What I thought was 36* total was 30*? Any way this is strange to me. peace Bud

It sounds as though you have a match between damper & tab ... So ... now it sounds as though the outer inertia ring of the damper has slipped (outer ring-to-rubber-to-inner hub bonding is failing) ... it happens ... when it does, a dislocated timing mark is symptom.

If you get another damper, ensure you get the correct type for your crank. First consideration is whether the crank is either internal (aka neutral) or external balance. Following that is correct diameter. It can be impossible to verify if bond is AOK by simple visual inspection ... best to buy new.

BTW, OE L82 has internal balance crank & internal balance damper. If I had to GUESS, I'd guess OE L82 damper is probably 8" diameter.
JACK:gap

 

[glen242]

First determine that actual TDC is 0 on your balancer/timing pointer.