Thread: 283 - No Harmonic Balancer Bolt?

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After dropping my oil pan (lift motor 3 inches and drop center link), I noticed lower timing cover damage. So I removed the harmonic balancer to replace the cover. Now during assembly, I realize that there was no bolt to the crankshaft?

Any installation tips?

I thought it would be tough going back on as I was pulling it. It slipped off the crankshaft at least 2 inches!

Several options:

1. Thousands of them have been reinstalled with a 2 x 4 and a 5# hammer. Lots of folks will tell you never to hammer on a balancer, but read sentence one again. Hit on the hub - not on the edges.

2. Drill your crank for a bolt and pull it on.

3. Put it in your oven at 250* fir an hour or so, then use method 1.

tap the end of the crank and use a bolt

All 283s had no bolt...............They were hammered on for 48 years now, do it again. Use a block of wood.......many small hits are better than a few heavy ones.

Thanks - that worked.
I tapped a 3/8 bolt into the crank.

its a safer bet then when your winding them up it dont come sliding off

its a safer bet then when your winding them up it dont come sliding off

Yeah - exactly what I was thinking.

AND - it went on pretty easy the third time.

Its still messing with my mind - that they were installed with no bolt.
But as Poncho62 said - been like that for years.

I measured to the crank shoulder to make sure it was seated properly.