I bought a PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS HARMONIC DAMPER for my 455 Olds.It sure looks pretty with 0-60 degree marking and every 90 degrees another line is placed.
The motor is stock and I am wondering if the engine is internally balanced or externally?
It comes with a small counterweight bolted inside the damper that can be removed for internally balanced motors.
It also mentions a special tool to install damper to crank?
Do you need it?.
thanks
joepenoso

 

Anyone?

 

stock is externally balanced, and yes , use the tool. If you beat those on with a mallet it could break the vulcanizing

 

ALL 1964-1990 Olds V8s are externally balanced. The internal/external thing is from the Chevy-centric world. Unless you have a custom-balanced rotating assembly, keep the weight.

The real reason why you want to use the proper tool for installing the balancer is that if you hammer it on, you run the risk of damaging the thrust bearing inside the engine.

 

Damage the thrust bearing? Huh.

The correct tool draws the damper in place slowly with screw threads in the crank snout. Smooth and easy.

Trying to envision someone hammering one in place.

The term "hammer mechanic" comes to mind

*caveman grunt*
BANG!
Rrrrrrgh!

 

I "pounded" quite a few balancers on back in the day & never noticed any ill effects. Always made sure surfaces were clean, lubed them up w/ whatever was handy - oil, WD, silicone. Hold a piece of wood against front, usually contacts the raised ring that many have around the opening & used only as muchy force as it took.

That said, I did eventually buy the correct tool probably 20 years ago & it is a much better way of installing a balancer!

 

Thanks a lot I'll buy or rent the tool
joepenoso

 

X2 on the bang bang method. I've been known to do it a few times myself. But I do have a remover and an installer now also.

 

Approximately how much is the installer tool?
Thanks
joepenoso

 

1) Go to Google.
2) Type in "harmonic balancer installer" (without quotes)
3) Revel in the wide variety of prices.