Hello. I cant get the bottom bolt out of the water pump because the balancer is in the way. Although I have the notch aligned with the bolt, the bolt is still too long to clear the balancer.
Ive never had an Oldsmobile or a car this old. The 394 is a new territory to me. There is only a balancer bolt and no crank pulley bolts. How can I pull the balancer forward if there are no pulley bolts to attach a puller?
Anybody know by heart the balancer bolt size? It's larger that 1" ( my largest socket )
Thanks in advance
Alvie

 

I know nothing about the 394 engine. Saying that, I can't believe, Olds made a motor, you could not change the water pump, without removing the balancer. I was wondering, if someone replaced the water pump, when maybe the engine was out or at least apart. At that point, maybe someone put a longer bolt in? If that is the case, maybe you could cut the bolt, and remove, and then install a shorter one.

 

 

Isnt there a cutout on the harmonic balancer to allow the bolt to be removed??

 

I did the water pump on my 63 394 a while back.
Lined up the balancer notch with the bolt to remove.
I do remember it was close and believe had to use a thin walled deep socket.