Good evening.

Hopefully you are all doing well.
It has been a while since my last post, as my work on the engine of my car continues. I have re-done many of the gasket and seals of the engine, including the oil pan, timing cover, and water pump gaskets. However, in doing so, I had to remove the harmonic balancer of the engine. When I did so, the outer ring separated as I mistakenly used a puller which pulls on the outer surface. As a result, I had to purchase a new harmonic balancer. Unfortunately, I did not photograph the old harmonic balancer when it was mounted on the crankshaft. My issue now is that, the new harmonic balancer seems to bottom out on the crankshaft end (but does not appear to be fully on), and the installer tool I have can't push it on any further. Both the new and old harmonic balancer are the same length, as I compared them side-by-side with a level. My main concern is that the harmonic balancer is not all the way on, as I am unsure of how far on the crankshaft it is supposed to go (and I don't have a photo of how far the old one was on the crankshaft). I don't have a service manual, and I could not find a post specifically talking about the issue I am having. I have attached photos of the new harmonic balancer. Would anyone happen to be able to tell if the balancer is all the way on in this position? I cannot get it to go further on. It also seems there is a lobe/counterweight or other part of the crankshaft which the back of the balancer is hitting in this position, and the woodruff key is also almost flush with where the washer would reach behind the bolt when it would be installed.
I would appreciate any knowledge/advice on this in particular.
Thank you.


I assume the back of the balancer is coming into contact with the section of the crankshaft surface further back behind the timing cover.

I assume that once the balancer becomes flush with the key and the crankshaft end, it cannot go any further, as the washer on the bolt won't allow it?


I am not sure if the balancer is sitting too far away from the timing cover, but in this position, I can't get it further on, even with the installer tool. It simply won't tighten any more.

Another question, is this timing cover seal installed correctly and far enough in, and could it perhaps pose an issue with the harmonic balancer not going on all the way?


This is the new harmonic balancer I purchased from rockauto. Perhaps I should have gone with an OEM used one, instead.

 

I just checked one I have on the stand here at the shop and the balancer is about .020" out from the end of the crankshaft. You dont want it to go flush because then the bolt would not be holding it tight to the crankshaft. I think you are good to go.

 

There are places that rebuild them, I would have gone that route

 

BillK is correct. The hub of the balancer is SUPPOSED to stick out past the end of the crank snout so the thick washer on the retaining bolt correctly clamps it in place. Stop losing sleep over this. Also, stop using brute force. Get a factory Chassis Service Manual so you don't screw up anything else. And by the way, where's your timing tab?

 

Thank you very much!

 

I still have the old harmonic balancer with the separated outer ring and center piece. I'll see if I can find any places locally which can do this. Thank you.

 

Thank you. I have the original timing tab still; I'll be sure to install it properly before torquing the balancer on. I'll be buying a CSM soon.

 

Put it in the scrap metal bin. They are not that rare and the new ones like the one you bought are actually pretty decent.

 

If you do want to have your original revulcanized, there are several places that specialize in doing this.

http://www.damperdoctor.com/

https://www.damperdudes.net/

 

I have a really nice OEM 70 350 balancer with good rubber, not oil soaked. It does have a very small wear groove where the seal rides. PM if you're interested.