1996 Mercruiser 4.3 electrical issue?

greno

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WD40 is not thin enough. You need a good penetrating oil like PB Blaster.

And it's going to take heat to get one that rusted off of there.
 

alldodge

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Couplers usually fail "early" due to user error. But they will all fail eventually. I've put 3 in my 41 year old craft that gets alignment checked regularly. So about 14 yrs is what I get out of them.

Think you need to get someone else to do your alignment
 

Scott Danforth

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Please don't ever do this. You can cause internal engine damage by doing this.
All you need is some heat and penetrating oil and a proper damper puller.

been building engines for years. been designing and servicing equipment for years. you obviously have not.

you cant get a big enough hammer to cause damage. not even a 5# fist maul will cause damage to the motor. a 15# sledge would, however as i stated, you cant get it in there. a 28 oz ball peen works wonders to loosen up the rust.

if you apply heat, you need to then replace the seal. max seal temp is 250 before the NBR rubber melts.

best penetrating oil is 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF
 

greno

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been building engines for years. been designing and servicing equipment for years. you obviously have not.
You sure make a lot of assumptions for knowing exactly NOTHING about me.

On the other hand you can do a minimal search of the internet and find lots of references like this:

5. Installation errors
A dampener should never be hit with a hammer. This could damage the internal components. Always use the correct tools to install a dampener. Not using the correct tools can damage the dampener and the crankshaft. The most common installation error is using the center bolt to press the dampener onto the nose of the crank. Chances are you will strip the threads due to the force required to seat some units.

Source: http://www.underhoodservice.com/harmonic-dampeners-fail-look/
 

alldodge

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Suggest a pause guys, your both right. If your installing a new damper, don't use heavy stuff, but if your removing an old one to be replaced, there is no issue
 

greno

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Well, just for completeness here's the removal section from the same reference site:

6. Removal errors
Always use the correct procedure and tools to pull the dampener from the vehicle. To replace the timing belt on most vehicles, the dampener must be removed. The most important thing to remember is to never put pressure on the outer ring or try to persuade it with a hammer.
 

Scott Danforth

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smacking a damper or a flywheel when you have a puller on it wont cause internal engine damage. repeated blows from a sledge or fist maul would

your just trying to break the rust free, not beat the damper thru the flywheel.

if you were trying to save the damper, a brass or lead hammer works best. however since the damper is junk, a few blows would be fine.

using a damper installation arbor is HS autos 101. right after breaker points. first hand knowledge without needing an internet search
 

Swedefj40

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So is stopped by my MerCruiser shop today and they don't have one in stock and won't have one for about a week. The mechanic also mentioned that I should get an installation tool as well because torqueing the damper on with just the bolt is not a good idea as there is not enough threads on the bolt and it may strip. Does anyone know where to find the correct OEM MerCruiser part number for the balancer? My motors s/n is 0F761554.
 

alldodge

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Go to your local GM dealer and ask for a 1996 4.3 balancer, or look up on line
Ma=erc part number is 809892T and is here item 16

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/31488/1940/17

The mechanic also mentioned that I should get an installation tool as well because torqueing the damper on with just the bolt is not a good idea as there is not enough threads on the bolt and it may strip

Maybe I should have but never used one without issue over many years
 

Swedefj40

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WOW not cheap! So in my research I can't find a straight answer, do I need a genuine MerCruiser balancer or will a generic one for my engine be fine???
 

alldodge

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WOW not cheap! So in my research I can't find a straight answer, do I need a genuine MerCruiser balancer or will a generic one for my engine be fine???

Merc doesn't make the motor GM does, and any generic stock balancer for your model year motor will work. Just make sure its for your year motor
 

AShipShow

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As far as the installation goes, go to your local autozone or advance auto parts and rent a harmonic balancer tool, you can use it to both install and remove the balancer... Thats what I did when I swapped the balancer on my 4.3. Plus when your done, you get all your money back.
 

Swedefj40

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Click image for larger version  Name:	 Views:	1 Size:	1.54 MB ID:	10600303
Not sure why I had vibration issues :) I got it off finally... A little heat did the trick :)
Just for reference, the numbers stamped on the damper were H3165 and 17925 and it's 8.1 lbs.
 
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greno

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Good job.
Take some emery cloth and cleanup the crank.
The easiest way to get the new one on is by throwing it in a pot of water and heating the water until it boils.
Use an old pair of oven mitts to hold it while you maneuver it onto the crank.
Spray the crank and the inside of the hub with WD40 with a very light coat and it will go right on.
Just gently tap it with a rubber mallet if needed. Work quickly.
Then torque down the center bolt.
 

Swedefj40

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So I'm getting conflicting information.

The ACDelco part number is 10224885 which is substantially lighter at 4.6 lbs than the old one I just took off (8.1 lbs) The MerCruiser balancer (809892T) is the same weight as the old one but too large of a diameter at 8" where the one I took off is 6 3/4".

I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm concerned that if I get the lighter HB that it won't adequately compensate for the rotational vibration. Thoughts?
 

greno

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1996 4.3L
With stamped metal timing cover the balancer is 824319.
With plastic timing cover the balancer is 809892.

You should be able to use any standard GM 350/305/262 6-3/4" 8 lb internal-balance.
 

Swedefj40

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The larger diameter will interfere with your timing mark. The original equipment part number shows up as 6.15 diameter

Bingo! I have the plastic timing cover and also a hose from the heat exchanger runs right by the balancer so I need the smaller diameter one.
 
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