formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

I'm trying to put my new 8" harmonic balancer on my new shortblock. It seems to go on a little but then stops and I can't turn the installer nut anymore. I'm not an mechanic but I think it should go on further?

I've tried putting assembly lube and high-temp grease on the inside of the balancer & the end of the crank but it doesn't seem to help.

Attached are pics.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Yes it should go on quite a bit farther; it hasn't even contacted the seal yet in the pic.

Aftermarket balancers frequently require honing to match the crank. Use a brake cyl hone with some sandpaper wrapped around it; about 120 - 180 grit, lubed with some ATF. Hone it until it goes on up to about the point where it is now or just a bit farther, by hand.

ex-x-fire

The balancer will stop when it presses up to the lower timing gear, did you compare the old & new balancers?
What is happening when the installer stops? Does the whole engine rotate? If so, then you need to stop that from happening.

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

It just stops. I try to turn the big nut with a large wrench and it won't budge.

I put a screwdriver between the flexplate and the engine stand to keep it from rotating.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

That balancer lacks about ¾" or a little more, of being on all the way, at the moment.

There is no question whatsoever that it isn't right.

It should end up going on such that the back of it is within ¼" of the timing cover or less.

ex-x-fire

Yeah, don't force it, its easy to break off the end of the installer. I'd remove it & inspect, might want to hone it like sofakingdom said.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

The last one I installed I placed it in the oven and got real hot so the metal expands then install it.

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys! Sofa, I've been honing it with no luck. I'm also having trouble attaching the sandpaper. How do you attach the sandpaper when u do it?

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

Anyone else have any tricks?

tunedperformanc, how hot did u get it? For how long? Could that damage it?

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

I put mine in at 250 for 20 min. Worked good for me grab your oven mitts. My wife thinks im cray but worked for me. She was also shocked to seem tpi runner in the freezer a while back but it got the dents out.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Make sure the keyway is lined up good & not going "crooked", causing the balancer to bind.

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

Well I tried heating it and that didn't work

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

I just did a test with the old, stock balancer and it won't go on either!

So I guess there's something with the crank key??? It's suppose to be a Scat crank I believe.

ex-x-fire

Do you have a micrometer? The snout should be 1.2465" to 1.2470".

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

I have a cheapo one. i measured the new and old snouts and i believe they're the same or close. Should I try filing the new key one down a bit?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

No. Bad idea. Won't work.

If the timing sprocket went on, the crank is the right size. (or at least, close enough)

Check it with the key not in the keyway and be sure that's not interfering somehow.

Take your sandpaper and tear a strip about 8" long and 1½" wide. Wrap one end of it around one of the stone arms of your brake cyl hone. Wrap the rest of the strip around the outside of the hone. Tighten it up so it holds the sandpaper firmly against the bore of the balancer. Sandpape it until it fits as I described.

I would recommend STRONGLY against using heat. Think about it... if you shrink it on there that way, how do you suppose you'll get it back off?

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

Well guys, I feel really dumb. I tried honing, heating, sanding, etc and nothing worked.
Then I noticed, when I was using my installer tool, it was wobbling just a bit when I screwed it in. So I decided to rule-out the tool, went to Autozone and got a rental. WITHIN 5 MINUTES I had the thing on!!!

Ugh. I wasted a Saturday trying to install a balancer

I guess the lesson learned that I can pass on is - don't assume your tools are ok. My installer was a name-brand that I got a few years ago from Summit, I barely used it, and apparently its messed up already.

Attached are new pics. The balancer is pretty far back and I don't know if I feel comfortable torquing it back any farther as it is pretty tight to turn. Does this look ok?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

OK, you may now spank yourself for that.

OK, enough... you're starting to enjoy it too much.

Looks like it might need to go on a bit more... try taking it off (not necessarily all the way, just until it gets somewhat loose) and put it back on, one more time. Use a longer wrench on the bolt. As you tighten it, the torque will go up steadily, then suddenly shoot up radically when it's all the way on. Keep tightening it, no matter how tight it seems to be getting, until it reaches that "knee" in the curve, indicated by a SUDDEN rapid increase in the torque; that's when it's bottomed. As long as the torque keeps increasing GRADUALLY, keep tightening.

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

Ha! Awesome!

I pulled it forward a bit and then started tightening again. It did gradually get tighter and is now bottomed out. It's roughly 1/4" out from the curved part of the timing cover. Is this ok or should i pull it off and try again?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Looks MUCH better. Should be good to go.

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

Great! Thanks a million guys for all the help!