installing harmonic balancer

[pine island fred]

Could use some advice on installing a new harmonic balancer on a new 350. Block is still on the shipping stand. Friend started installing it by laying a piece of 2x4 on it and pounding it with a big hammer. Now it is about 1/2 on and will not go anymore. Have to take it off and try again.
He wanted to use a puller with the 3 arms that grab the outside but I think that is a bad idea. I want him to use a puller that uses 3 bolts and pulls from the area close to the center there by avoiding potential damage to the rubber ring. Does it really make a difference? Then how about putting it back on. Would it help to wrap the shaft in dry ice for awhile? Have dismissed the idea of heating the dampiner in an oven for fear of screwing up the rubber insert. Never did this before and could use some advice. thanks FRED

 

[Don S]

Re: installing harmonic balancer

Friend started installing it by laying a piece of 2x4 on it and pounding it with a big hammer. Now it is about 1/2 on and will not go anymore. Have to take it off and try again.
He wanted to use a puller with the 3 arms that grab the outside but I think that is a bad idea.

Get rid of your friend, or he is going to cost you a lot of money. Beating on them is really hard on the crank and thrust bearing, there is a proper tool for both removing and installing them. Use them. You can probably rent them from an auto parts store. Might check a few out.
Yes a 3 jaw puller on the outside of the dampner will destroy the dampner.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: installing harmonic balancer

Get rid of your friend, or he is going to cost you a lot of money. Beating on them is really hard on the crank and thrust bearing, there is a proper tool for both removing and installing them. Use them. You can probably rent them from an auto parts store. Might check a few out.
Yes a 3 jaw puller on the outside of the dampner will destroy the dampner.

Ditto. Autozone rents them or advance does. I also put my balancers in the oven on low for a little bit. Helps get them on better. I also use some antiseize on the snout of the crankshaft for ease of removal if it ever has to come back off.

 

[ron7000]

Re: installing harmonic balancer

$10


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37824

 

[pine island fred]

Re: installing harmonic balancer

Sure due appreciate your input. Not my boat, owner wants to do it all by himself and I get called on when things go wrong. Sitting in my yard so I have incentive to see the boat back in the water.
Got up this morning and it was 62 cold degrees. Got to love this year round boating ! What is everyone talking about winterizing ? Puller pictured is he one I would like to see him use. regards fred

 

[Don S]

Re: installing harmonic balancer

This is what the installer looks like. It screws into the crankshaft (with correct thread insert) and the nut with the bearing pushes the HB into place as you tighten it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: installing harmonic balancer

Ditto. Autozone rents them or advance does. I also put my balancers in the oven on low for a little bit. Helps get them on better. I also use some antiseize on the snout of the crankshaft for ease of removal if it ever has to come back off.

I wouldn't put it in the oven...will destroy the rubber. Use the proper tool.

 

[JustJason]

Re: installing harmonic balancer

i just zip them down with my impact, never have a problem. Then i put a piston stop in and torque it with a torque wrench.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: installing harmonic balancer

I wouldn't put it in the oven...will destroy the rubber. Use the proper tool.

Only to about 150* "Warm setting" Its alot easier to do it a warm balancer then when being 40* outside I am sure it gets that hot hanging around the motor. I've used the tool in the past and sometimes you need a litte more umph. I've even snapped that tools adapter piece which is screwed into the snout snap off because the balancer was that tight.