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this needs re-posting,damper question/answer

grumpyvette

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2001
Messages
841
Location
Loxahatchee, FL, Palm Beach co
RARELY DO I FEEL LIKE CRYING, but I got a question asked...
"is it ok to use a large hammer and block of wood to beat the damper back onto the crank when doing a cam swap"
that question gets me that frustrated


71061744.jpg

heres the basic installation tool
159413_lg.jpg

look at the picture carefully, the tool is available from several sources
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=3324&prmenbr=361
heres how to use it...
the small 7/16 thread ,on the tool threads into the crank, the damper slips over the tool, the large washer style bearing slips over the tool followed by the solid washer followed by the large nut that threads on the tool, the back of the tool is normally a 9/16 or 5/8 hex this is held with a box end wrench to keep the engine from turning, the large nut is usually a 1 1/8" nut and it is tightened with an open end 1 1/8" wrench or a adjustable wrench against the two washers drawing the damper onto the crank snout! lube the threads on the tool, the inside of the damper and crank snout with oil before starting. the damper will normally slide on about 1/4 of the way bye hand then the tool is needed to draw the damper on the last 3/4 of the distance, don,t over tighten the tool the 7/16" thread will snap off in the crank after the damper bottoms out on the lower timing gear if you do!,
NEVER USE A HAMMER AND BLOCK OF WOOD TO DRIVE THE DAMPER ON, YES THOUSANDS OF GUYS THINK THEY DID IT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS BUT...
IT WILL DAMAGE THE THRUST BEARING CLEARANCES,
IT CAN BREAK THE ELASTOMER TORSION RING ON STOCK DAMPERS
IT CAN CAUSE THE INERTIAL RING ON FLUIDAMPER TO BECOME JAMMED INTERNALLY
IT CAN CAUSE THE DAMPER TO FAIL.
IF THE DAMPER FAILS THE CRANK WILL EVENTUALLY BE DAMMAGED
IT GREATLY STRESSES THE CRANK SHAFT
IT CAN DAMAGE THE CRANKS TRANSMISSION PILOT BEARING
IT CAN DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION
ALMOST EVERY TYPE OF DAMAGE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOWS UP RIGHT AWAY, BUT IT WILL DAMAGE THE PARTS LISTED AND THERES THOUSANDS OF GUYS THAT ARE WONDERING WHY THOSE PARTS FAILED 6-24 MONTHs LATER WITH NO CLUE AS TO THE CAUSE!
ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION, IF CRANKSHAFTS THAT ARE A FEW THOUSANDS OUT OF LINE I.E. NOT PERFECTLY STRAIT ARE BENT/STRAITEND WITH A LEAD HAMMER BY CRANK MANUFACTURES (and yes thats how its done) AND CRANKS THAT ARE DROPPED ON A CONCRETE FLoor SOMETIMES BEND SLIGHTLY ,(happends all the time) WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT BEATING ON THEM WITH A HAMMER AND A BLOCK OF WOOD WONT DAMMAGE THEM? AND WHILE WERE AT IT WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SOME GUY YOU CAUGHT BEATING ON YOUR ENGINE BLOCK WITH A HAMMER? WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CRANKS DOING TO YOUR MAIN CAPS WHEN YOU BEAT ON THE CRANK? PROPERLY USED THAT INSTALLATION TOOL CAN EXCERT OVER 15 TONS OF PRESSURE TO SLIDE THE DAMPER ON, IF IT WONT SLIDE ON, THERES A PROBLEM! FIND IT AND FIX IT .....DON,T BEAT ON THE DAMPER/CRANK ...........if your cranks not threaded GET IT THREADED next time the cranks out, in the mean time pack the crank snout in dry ice and the damper in boiling water.....once both at at the correct temp. spray the inside surface of the damper with LIQUID WRENCH and using pot holders, to prevent burns slide it quickly onto the crank snout before the temp differance equalizes, and yes it may take a few wacks with a plastic hammer but genrally it slides on easily UNTILL the temp differance equalizes
 
Got one of them but I don't use an adjustable wrench on it.
I also use a puller to remove the balancer nothing like the proper tool for the job.

I didn't know that cranks were straightened by by hammers, ya learn something every day.:upthumbs
 
On most of the 50's-60's engines that had pressed-on dampers with no retaining bolt, you don't have much choice. I've done lots of those over the years, and I used to wedge a piece of 2x4 between the crank flange and the engine stand (to hold the crank forward to avoid brinelling the thrust surfaces), and used a plastic-coated dead-blow hammer with mild blows to install the damper.

I made it a practice years ago, however, to have those no-bolt cranks drilled and tapped for the retaining bolt for two reasons - to be able to use the damper bolt for retention, and the ability to use the damper installation tool.

:beer
 
Great post, grumpyvette. I've always used the appropriate installer. The thought of pounding just didn't appeal to me for some reason. Now... I know the reason!! :)

-Mac
 

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