Harmonic Balancer Seal

Gert3116 · April 21st, 2008, 07:25 PM

The Harmonic Balancer seal on my 350 olds is leaking really bad and I need to know if the seal comes in from the front or from the back. Has anyone replaced this seal on their car, and if so, do you have any hints for me?

1964f-85 · April 21st, 2008, 08:40 PM

The seal presses in from the front. While it is possible to do with out pulling the cover, it is probably easier to pull the cover and press it in.

Take a look at your balancer, did the old seal cut a groove into the balancer shaft? If it did you can get a repair kit from Advanced auto or auto zone. It comes with a redesigned seal as well as a thin sleeve that you press onto the balancer shaft.

Gert3116 · April 21st, 2008, 10:25 PM

I've been told that if there was a groove, then I would have to get a new harmonic balancer. Is this repair sleeve just temporary thing that I would have to replace again or would it hold?

Dapapadon · April 21st, 2008, 11:50 PM

The sleeve is called a Speedy Sleeve. It should last as long as the seal.

Don

Bluevista · April 22nd, 2008, 06:15 AM

I used a sleeve on my 350 balancer last year and it works great, got it with the seal at NAPA.

Allan

Run to Rund · April 22nd, 2008, 09:02 AM

You need to block the engine from turning as the balancer bolt is torqued to 160 ft lb. With most stock setups the easiest may be to make up a long bar of something like 1/4" by 2" or 3" , 2' long steel that bolts to two pulley bolt holes with grade 8 bolts.

Gert3116 · April 22nd, 2008, 09:48 PM

Ok. cool. I think that I have everything that I need. Thanks for all the help.

70oldsW30 · April 23rd, 2008, 09:53 AM

For what it is worth, I have usually blocked the motor from turning down at the flexplate /flywheel which gives better mechanical advantage to keep the motor from turning plus it's not in the way.

Ok, someone has to admit to having fit a socket and 1/2" breakover bar on the balancer bolt, placing the end of the breakover bar on top of the steering hear box and turning the motor over using the starter to break the balancer bolt loose.

April 21st, 2008, 07:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gert3116 Red69CutlassS Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Billings Posts: 43	Harmonic Balancer Seal The Harmonic Balancer seal on my 350 olds is leaking really bad and I need to know if the seal comes in from the front or from the back. Has anyone replaced this seal on their car, and if so, do you have any hints for me?

April 21st, 2008, 08:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
1964f-85 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 74	Harmonic balencer seal The seal presses in from the front. While it is possible to do with out pulling the cover, it is probably easier to pull the cover and press it in. Take a look at your balancer, did the old seal cut a groove into the balancer shaft? If it did you can get a repair kit from Advanced auto or auto zone. It comes with a redesigned seal as well as a thin sleeve that you press onto the balancer shaft.

April 23rd, 2008, 09:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
70oldsW30 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 42	For what it is worth, I have usually blocked the motor from turning down at the flexplate /flywheel which gives better mechanical advantage to keep the motor from turning plus it's not in the way. Ok, someone has to admit to having fit a socket and 1/2" breakover bar on the balancer bolt, placing the end of the breakover bar on top of the steering hear box and turning the motor over using the starter to break the balancer bolt loose. Last edited by 70oldsW30; April 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 AM..

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April 21st, 2008, 10:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gert3116 Red69CutlassS Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Billings Posts: 43	I've been told that if there was a groove, then I would have to get a new harmonic balancer. Is this repair sleeve just temporary thing that I would have to replace again or would it hold?

April 21st, 2008, 11:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dapapadon Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 364	The sleeve is called a Speedy Sleeve. It should last as long as the seal. Don

April 22nd, 2008, 06:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bluevista Cruisin' the Vistas Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,722	I used a sleeve on my 350 balancer last year and it works great, got it with the seal at NAPA. Allan

April 22nd, 2008, 09:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Run to Rund Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 337	You need to block the engine from turning as the balancer bolt is torqued to 160 ft lb. With most stock setups the easiest may be to make up a long bar of something like 1/4" by 2" or 3" , 2' long steel that bolts to two pulley bolt holes with grade 8 bolts.

April 22nd, 2008, 09:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gert3116 Red69CutlassS Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Billings Posts: 43	Ok. cool. I think that I have everything that I need. Thanks for all the help.