Crankshaft Dampner Separated -- Arghh!

[ERA Chas]

Wow-you must have buzzed that thing to almost 5000!
Those balancers are junk-you can thank Joe for that selection.

You can get it off and on in the car. Use a puller and installation tool. Make sure the new one is about .0003" press fit. They can be honed if too tight-send it back if too loose. And use a new ARP bolt.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Wow-you must have buzzed that thing to almost 5000!
Those balancers are junk-you can thank Joe for that selection.

You can get it off and on in the car. Use a puller and installation tool. Make sure the new one is about .0003" press fit. They can be honed if too tight-send it back if too loose. And use a new ARP bolt.

You're right, it is a piece of crap. What do you recommend for a replacement?

[blykins]

The Professional Products balancers are a good balancer for the money. Good fit, comes with a pulley....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

The Professional Products balancers are a good balancer for the money. Good fit, comes with a pulley....

Thanks. What would you recommend though as the the best one, regardless of cost? And what would make that one better than a basic one (that doesn't come flying apart, that is).

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

You're right, it is a piece of crap. What do you recommend for a replacement?

Brent mentions a good choice-also BHJ and of course ATI are quality balancers. Think BHJ is the cheapest and not sure if ATI makes an FE application.

Here's mine:


Innovators West:
http://www.innovatorswest.com/store/...d&productId=20

Ain't cheap but SFI approved, fluid filled, all aluminum and degreed all around. Took three pounds off the crank nose compared to what you had. Bulletproof and Art is a great guy to work with.
You may not want a race-capable piece like this but don't skimp-you already have an $800 flywheel, right??

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

You may not want a race-capable piece like this but don't skimp-you already have an $800 flywheel, right??

Yep, needlessly pissed away a good bit on that CenterForce aluminum flywheel. I see the ATIs for me are around $375, the Fluidamper comes in around $433, and the high end Professional Product is around $245, and the cheap crap is all below that. Why is there such a disparity in price? If the existing balancer just pulls off without the need for a puller tool, is it still necessary to use an "installation tool?" I've never done that in the past.

[ERA Chas]

I've heard bad things about the Fluidamper (the brand not the type). I can't substantiate what I heard but am very glad I got the Innovators piece. It's been on the motor for 12 seasons-plus it's rebuildable by Art. The Fluidamper is sealed so it's not.

Price depends on steel or aluminum, fluid or solid and where manufactured as well as the precision of machining. ATI's are very good-I've seen them run on dynos to 8000+.

About removal/install; you don't have room to pry (barbaric) in the car anyway so don't skimp-buy or borrow the tools. I've seen guys hammer them on (also barbaric) but the tools actually make it easier in the car. I did it on my back. Good new is you can use your impact wrench to spin the bolt off. Going on you gotta put it in gear (rear tires on ground) because they all want well over 100 lbft of torque.

Interference fit is vital-that's why you need the install tool. You can't just push these on. Do this; take your dial caliper (that reads to .0000") and measure the crank snout-take readings in 4 places around the nose. In my case, I called Art, told him my numbers and he honed one to my proper press fit. Every manufacturer wants a different number so if you buy an ATI for instance, measure the damper ID and their installation sheet will tell you the press they want. Compare to your crank's OD and do the math. If it's too tight, go to a local machinist and get it honed. Too loose and send it back for another.

Get an ARP bolt-don't reuse old one-torque to damper's spec. Don't lose the woodruff key!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Barry_R

ATI is the best - the FE one is roughly 7 degrees off on the TDC marking and uses a Chevy pulley bolt pattern. More race car quality at just under $400. I have no experience with BHJ, but they should be comparable.

Thanks Barry -- ATI it is. BTW, Amazon wrote me that they shipped your book to me on Friday.

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

About removal/install; you don't have room to pry (barbaric) in the car anyway so don't skimp-buy or borrow the tools. I've seen guys hammer them on (also barbaric) but the tools actually make it easier in the car. I did it on my back. Good new is you can use your impact wrench to spin the bolt off. Going on you gotta put it in gear (rear tires on ground) because they all want well over 100 lbft of torque.

OK, I'll do it your way. As much as you are a PITA, you're generally more right than wrong -- thanks.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

OK, I'll do it your way. As much as you are a PITA, you're generally more right than wrong -- thanks.

Barry gives the best reason-the OE's are never accurate with the timing marks.

I'm glad to share if I've gone through something that can help somebody-EVEN you. Just glad that thing didn't frag at 70 MPH on the way to your haberdasher...

[jdean]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yep, needlessly pissed away a good bit on that CenterForce aluminum flywheel. I see the ATIs for me are around $375, the Fluidamper comes in around $433, and the high end Professional Product is around $245, and the cheap crap is all below that. Why is there such a disparity in price? If the existing balancer just pulls off without the need for a puller tool, is it still necessary to use an "installation tool?" I've never done that in the past.

Patrick, what happened with the aluminum flywheel?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jdean

Patrick, what happened with the aluminum flywheel?

Chas. just likes to make fun of me that I pissed away about $700 on a Centerforce flywheel when I could have gotten something just as good for about half that price. That was five years ago, and I think their prices went down after I bought one. Or more likely, I just managed to piss away dough.... It's a beautiful flywheel, though.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Chas. just likes to make fun of me that I pissed away about $700 on a Centerforce flywheel when I could have gotten something just as good for about half that price.

CORRECTION! BRENT and Chas...