OOPS...I cracked my harmonic balancer...what now?

[d0n_3d]

While trying to re-install the large bolt and washer I had a crow-bar wedged between the balancer and the front sway bar...well I gave that bolt full force with a large breaker bar (since my torque wrench doesn't go past 150 FT lbs...) I tried to get it as tight as I could...big mistake...I ended up cracking the harmonic balancer from top to bottom because of that crowbar...also broke the bracket for the crank sensor in the process...where can I get these items??? it seems autozone and advance don't carry a harmonic balancer for our cars...

while I am at it...I also lost the bottom two water pump bolts!!! I have the two 1/2" on each bottom corner of the water pump but not the two bottom middle ones...anyone know the size and where to get?

now I've done it

 

[Reaper]

i am just gunna point and laugh.........

(go read my issue in suspention and chassis, then you can point and laugh at me)


as for the breaking of the blancer. take it to PTE maybe they will give ya a discount

 

[Nick Micale]

Balancer you can still get from GM, or maybe find a good used one. When you tighten the next one, put vise grips on the flexplate.

The water pump bolts you need are 1/4"x20x1"L.

 

[83ttypecooled]

crack

Hi ,
Murphy's law, typical of our times. Try a salvage replacement. I don't think your average Buick dealer still has these, but you MAY get lucky These are slip fit items, THEN torque it down. Lubricate the item profusely. A dab of silicone on the keyway will help prevent leaks in that area. Inspect the key and snout of the crank before you install the damper. Good luck!

Dale

 

[d0n_3d]

thanks again Nick...you are 2/2 in helping me today

 

[Dwayne]

I've got a couple of spares if you are interested.......70$ shipped

 

[Fuelie600]

What am I missing here? Our motors are externaly balanced, so you can't just bolt on a new balancer. It will have to be balanced to match.

 

[d0n_3d]

Originally posted by Fuelie600
What am I missing here? Our motors are externaly balanced, so you can't just bolt on a new balancer. It will have to be balanced to match.

can anybody confirm this?

 

[Nick Micale]

If you have had your motor rebuilt and the rotating assembly balanced to race specs, then the new balancer should be match balanced.

We have replaced many stock balancers and not needed to match balance on stock motors. The stock balancer should be within the factory specs and not present any problem when replacing.

 

[Ormand]

Yeah, what Nick said. The engines have a "fixed" imbalance. They are balanced internally up to a point, and then externally with the harmonic damper and the flex plate. But all flex plates and harmonic dampers have the standard imbalance, which matches the left-over imbalance from the crank. I think that's the way it works. Unless the engine has been rebalanced since it left the assembly line.

 

[TurboSlacker]

But what about the holes in the front of the balancer/dampener? One of my holes has a plug in it. I assumed that particular hole was selected by GM during assembly when balancing the motor.

Is there a way to have the engine checked for balance while in the car after installing a new/different harmonic balancer/dampener? Is there no worry of damaging the main bearings or crank?

 

[S10xGN]

If you were REALLY worried about it, I guess you could take both balancers to a shop that does balancing and have the new one matched to the old one...