Thread: Harmonic Balancer

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For lack of better things to do, I started minor disassembly of a 1982 vintage 5.0 I've got in my garage. I'm doing minor cleanup and accessing what I have. I yanked the balancer off, and after cleanup and inspection, I noticed the rubber that was exposed has a few cracks in it. I'd say it's your typical dryrotted rubber, but not so bad that chunks are missing.

Long term plans are to build a decent street motor for a hot rod. I'd like to build some horsepower, but I'm not going to go too crazy on high dollar items for this project.

My question is, how can I determine if I should reuse the damper, or spring for a new one? Is there a proper "test" or inspection? I've never had one go bad, so I have no experience in dealing with this.

I do plan on balancing the reciprocating assembly, so I'd hate to have to replace it soon after a rebuild. On the other hand, I don't exactly want to spend money on parts I don't need.

So what would you do?

Thanks, Streets. Granted, it's very easy to change (especially if you take the time to remove the big washer and not just the bolt that holds it on....DOH!!!) but it would be a drag spending money on a balance job and then putting a different balancer on. Of course, being a street motor, how much of a big deal is it?

Vacuum gauge, eh? How's that work, or is there a link describing how to time an engine using a vacumm gauge?

How to ensure a harmonic balancer works properly. 1) make sure your teeth are clean. 2) place harmonica on finger dead center. 3) blow a few notes into it. If they come back all clean crisp notes, your in good shape!

Dunno. Diddnt get involved with her. Not my generation. but you go for the ones a bit younger than you, dont you streets?

Dead, if your going to build some HP into that 5.0 then get a solid damper.

Originally posted by hambiskit
Dead, if your going to build some HP into that 5.0 then get a solid damper.

Good gravy, you guys are getting out of hand.......

Thanks for the tip. Initially, I'm looking at somewhat of a budget rebuild (but I won't cut costs everywhere!), so my HP will be limited by that. I haven't rebuilt an entire engine yet (plenty 'O head gasket training, tho) (that would be on Ford's illustrious 3.8 V-6) so I'm not going to go too crazy. I'm saving the crazy & the big buck for my Cleveland, but I digress...

I'll get this one together & running, and then as more time & money allow, we'll upgrade parts to increase HP.

Now, if I decide to add the solid damper AFTER the motor is together & balanced with a factory damper, is that like putting in new lifters but keeping your old cam (i.e., it CAN be done, but not a very good idea)? And no, I won't be reusing either my old cam OR lifters.

AND...what the hell is a "harmonic balancer" if a harmonic balancer is NOT a damper? (I'm not being snide, I really want to know!)

Thanks again......

Originally posted by Streets
...Set yer idle, hook yer Vacuum gauge up to the carb and then turn yer dizzy to the highest readin' and lock it down... Take the advance line off the dizzy foist!

I sure hope ya meant 5.0 as in a Chevy 305 engine tho.. hehehe
Remove the big washer and then re-install the bolt so you can press on the bolt and not bugger up the threads in the crank ya mean when the puller slips...

1) Thanks for the 'spanation. I had to think for a sec what a "dizzy" is, then it hit me....I love it! Keep 'em coming, I'm learning a bunch!

2) Nope, my dizzy is located in the "natural" place, on the FRONT of the motor. I won't chide you that this is the FORD small block section (I try to NEVER bite the hand that feeds me...) Richard was alittle hard on you about that "balancer/damper" thing, so I won't rub it in. And what I meant was, remove the dirt-encrusted-so-bad-that-you-can't-even-see-it washer, so your puller actually makes contact with the nose of the crank, and not that washer that's snug against the damper. Kinda like pushing against a brick wall. Soemthing's gotta give, and it won't be the wall..... I get to go to Sears to get a new puller since I was a BIG FAT DUMMY!

Originally posted by deadbugdug
And what I meant was, remove the dirt-encrusted-so-bad-that-you-can't-even-see-it washer

In Some Area's that is the proper name

Otto

I thought he asked what a damper did.? HuH!!!

~ Vegas ~

Well, Streets, I had to hang on by my fingernails as I read up on those links, but I think I got it. That's all cool as hell, and whooda thunk........pistons and rods as shock absorbers.....torsional oscillation.....and "tuning" of chuncks I never thought possible!

Hope you're not planning on quitting this forum any time soon. We need guys like you to assist us "ignerent" types....

Thanks again! Gotta go make more love to my FERD now.....