Is The Haromonic Balancer All The Way In?

[gnx547]

I used a impact gun to drive the bolt in and wondering if the balancer is all the way in? There is a little gap but the timing mark pointer lines up with balancer. Does it look good?

 

[MikeH686]

Let me go check mine

 

[MikeH686]

Nah I think your good between the nose of the crank and the back of the balancer I had about 5/16 of an inch of gap

 

[mikestang63]

Since you already used an airgun, it's already on though. That's not how I would recommend installing one. You can damage the balancer or crank. I normally heat up the balancer by putting it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes , then slide it on the crank aligning the keyway, and use the proper installer and put a few dabs of silicone in the keyway to prevent any leaks. Torque the bolt to 80-90 ft lbs by putting the car in 5th gear and the e brake on.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-61744/?rtype=10

Advance auto will actually rent you the correct puller/installer with a deposit.


Now that being said, back in the old days we used to throw the balancer in some boiling water for about 1/2 hour and handle it with some welding gloves and then tap it on with a rubber hammer and a block of wood over the balancer. Other people have used the stock
balancer bolt and some thick flat washers to pull it on but again that is not the recommended way as you can strip the threads in the crank.

Quick question.. Did you inspect the front seal on the timing cover where the crank is before you installed the new balancer? Was your old balancer scarred up where it makes contact with the front seal or was it leaking oil? They make repair sleeves. Just an fyi.

 

[gnx547]

I did not know using a impact can damage the balancer or crank. You got me worried, I hope I did not do any damage to it. What kind of damage can be done to the crank? Is there a way I can tell if there is damage to the crank or balancer? I can turn it nice and easy with the ratchet and I do not see anything out of the ordinary. Before I zapped the bolt in, I put some oil on it and made sure the balancer was lined up straight and even. When I removed the balancer it was not scarred up and I installed a new timing cover seal

 

[mikestang63]

I did not know using a impact can damage the balancer or crank. You got me worried, I hope I did not do any damage to it. What kind of damage can be done to the crank? Is there a way I can tell if there is damage to the crank or balancer? I can turn it nice and easy with the ratchet and I do not see anything out of the ordinary. Before I zapped the bolt in, I put some oil on it and made sure the balancer was lined up straight and even. When I removed the balancer it was not scarred up and I installed a new timing cover seal

Thought I was clear but maybe not. When you use an impact wrench or a bolt with washers to install the balancer, you run the risk of stripping the threads out of the crank snout or worse- snapping off the bolt in the snout. They make an installer for a reason but I've seen guys luck out..

If it were me, I would take off the balancer, inspect the balancer, front seal and crank /threads for damage, then reinstall it correctly using the proper installer and torque it down to about 110 ft lbs with the car in 5th gear and the brake on. As mentioned in an earlier post, you can make it easier by heating up the balancer. Also put a few dabs of RTV in the keyway slot to stop any leaks. After you torque it down, check for proper alignment of the pulleys. Takes maybe 20 minutes to do and cheap insurance.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I'm sure it's fine. Although it's not recommended, I've zipped dozens of balancers on and off with an impact gun with zero issue. I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Mike is right though....putting it in the oven on it's lowest setting....even dropping it into a bucket of boiling water to heat it up is the better method. As for whether or not it's on far enough? Bolting up your lower crank pulley and see if it lines up with other others would be a good indication.