Thread: Balancer about to let go

Tweet

I am pretty sure that my harmonic balancer is about to go south (or straight up through the hood) because today I noticed a slight wobble to it. Used the edge of the oil pan as a visual reference and it is indeed shaking around.

The elastomer is also "squished" out a little more on one side than the other.

Is there any differences in balancers for an 1980's model MkIV, TBI, Externally balanced? Or can I pick any one of them?

I have a 13 mile drive home too....any suggestions there? Cross fingers?

What size and year engine?

The best I can figure, the year is 1988, originally a TBI, 454ci, MkIV block, supposedly out of a truck but I havent been able to match the code on the block.

The casting # is 14015445 which I believe is truck or car, it is a 4-bolt block, came with 14092360 peanut heads. Damper on there now (the bad one) is the original and is pretty huge IMO. Motor is externally balanced

Mostly a street motor now, remaining below 5500rpm, so I dont need/want anything extravagent. Any suitable sub will do unless it's a total pos.

Thanks.

Would 40 bucks sound about right?
http://www.damperdoctor.com/Merchant...egory_Code=CHE

I think I remember reading one of your previous posts. (quite a while back) about the fact that you are using a gear drive in that 454. I am sure that is what killed your balancer, the harmonics from that gear drive can be deadly. (don't start the gear drive discussion again, I am just poking him in the ribs a little)

Tech hit it on the nose. It has to be for a 454 due to the extra counter weight.

all 454 that GM ever made are all extenally balanced so any 454 or any 502 that was extenally balanced they all will have a counterweight in the in side of the damper.

Pat, So you are saying that any one will work ? 12 pounds or 16 pounds?


Tech,
DD site says:

Your old harmonic balancer has have a core value. We will refund you for the amount below when you send us your rebuildable core. Please review our core information page for information on determining if you core is rebuildable.
CHEVY 454 C.I. V8: $0.00

I'll have to contact them and a get a final price (see if that zero dollar figure is correct) with shipping. Might be comparable down the street.

In any case, I think I am good to go now. Thanks for the input folks.

all the 8 inch gm 454 will work from 70-90 .i would just buy a new one .there are many makers to pick from .where are you getting this weight at? the counterweight would be the same just a lighter damper some are alum like the ATI can be or just smaller like 7.074 if you go to the smaller size you need a new pointer ,if you just want a good stock one then look at the pioneer $70 will get you somthing some one has not beat the hell out of with a hammer or may not have much press this needs to be good or your will trash the nose of the crank. it is very hard to find a good used one

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

....where are you getting this weight at? ...

Local autoparts store....I looked up an '88 1 ton chevy pu 7.4L....it was just a quick online search in "the zone" and they list the weights for each one that fits that make/model. I dont want to endorse one parts store over the other.

Thanks Pat.

GM and other show one part number for 1970-90 that is the one you need. i have used the gm ,pioneer, pioneer sfi .rattlerTCI .fluidampr just on the 454 never hade any problems getting them to balance or seen any other part number less like the ATI with a alum outer shell and some sell a smaller damper .i have also just put one on with out balancing them. i know guys that keep there SFI dampers and just put stocker the back on there engine when they sell them .and they work fine