Merc 165 straight 6 harmonic balancer install

[system-f]

I have read that you must press on the harmonic ballancer for the Merc 165 250ci staight 6 but my Merc Manual says to:

1. Coat front cover oil seal contact area of balancer with contact oil.

2. Attach damper tool J-8792 to damper (looks like a ruber piece) that hangs onto the pulley groove.

3. Position damper and drive into position until it bottoms against the crankshaft gear.

The manual says that for the 292 you must push on the balancer using the threaded crankshaft hole. My crankshaft hole has NO threads and does not look to be damaged. I am worried that driving the damper on my damage the crankshaft...but the instructions say to? Ideas? Comments?

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Merc 165 straight 6 harmonic balancer install

I've heard you can heat the balancer and then tap it on.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Merc 165 straight 6 harmonic balancer install

huh... where did my post go? did a mod delete it? I wrote a reply, hit post, and my screen refreshed and there it was.... now where'd it go?

What I said in my original post was throw it in the oven for an hour at 275. then tap (NOT HAMMER) it on.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Merc 165 straight 6 harmonic balancer install

That is correct;the 250ci doesn't have a tapped hole in crank. Driving it on does no harm, the crank sees way more abuse just running. I have driven many on with my dead-blow hammer with no probs. Bear in mind that the crank sticks out thru damper bout 1/16-1/18 when fully seated against timing gear, I use a large socket to seat it. 'nutcase