[ByronRACE]

I've seen 385 series fords without dampers, but unless you have a reason to do so (like driving high loads off the crank, like a giant roots blower or something), I'd run one.

No matter how good the balance job, the crank will still be subject to harmonic vibration. The damper is a mass/spring system that absorbs the vibration and makes life easier on the internals, bearings, etc. It's worthwhile.

B