Harmonic Balancer Replacement

Have you looked into how you're going to switch it with a new one? I know with some engines it's probably easier just to do an engine swap. Or at least pulling the engine. Not sure about the 2.8L though.

On another note. How did he notice it was hooped? Your harmonic dampener is practically speaking a timing related object. My understanding is that it essentially holds the timing to be consistent during the variables of a moving, torquing engine. More technically it dispensates the resonance of the crankshaft.

If your harmonic dampener is "hooped" you very well may have some crankshaft damage. :(

If the balancer has slipped on the ring, it is just popped off with a standard puller, personally I use my steering wheel puller.  I can change one out start to finish in about an hour.  The hardest part is you need an impact gun to get the crank bolt off.    Brian if you get really stuck, I do still have my 2nd spare V6 at the house, have not moved it down to storage yet. We can pop it off and pop it onto your car.

 

On a PS note, most engine guys will tell you this is not possible, but I ran my 2.8 for at least 2 years without the balancer on the engine at all.  It had spun on the doughnut and was wobbling around.  Engine did not run rough or anything.  Kinda made setting the timing a bit of a bear not having timing marks through.

Fire451 wrote: Matt wrote: Have you looked into how you're going to switch it with a new one? I know with some engines it's probably easier just to do an engine swap. Or at least pulling the engine. Not sure about the 2.8L though.On another note. How did he notice it was hooped? Your harmonic dampener is practically speaking a timing related object. My understanding is that it essentially holds the timing to be consistent during the variables of a moving, torquing engine. More technically it dispensates the resonance of the crankshaft. If your harmonic dampener is "hooped" you very well may have some crankshaft damage. :( Wow that hurt my head.... Brian how is it hooped? Did it just slip or???

 

That makes 2 of us.  Hence my post explaining why.

Matt really didn't mean to offend and took special note not to attach you I just wanted to get the correct information out.

However if the "head hurt" joke was taken out of context, it wasn't mean to, just a friendly poke.

Ok "hooped" may have been too much:)...I did get a reply from the Dampner Doctor:

Rebuilt harmonic balancer is all I do. they are stock parts with new silicone rubber. have done them for Corvairs since 1975. works awesome and i used to auto x myself.

cost to rebuild is $69.95 if want one sent out core deposit is $35.00 more toll free 877-834-2137

 

still going to call around local, then figure out the next steps

 

Since it's not a 'gotta do it tomorrow' situation - weigh the option of cost @ Lordco vs the shipping factor with the rebuild guy.

You're welcome to the one I showed you yesterday to send off to him as the 'core' (which also brings up the 2X shipping cost factor).

Here's a picture of my GT when I was swapping out the harmonic balancer on it.

And a good thread from Pennock's with more helpful info and pictures is Here.

Take note of the comments in that thread about the problem of getting new harmonic balancers with incorrect timing marks.

 

I'm interested to see what it means by high-performance HB. Perhaps it means that variable-vicsousity ones, but those arn't really performance-orientated, just more reliable. Maybe he means a smaller diametre or some such thing?

harmonic balancer,i allso need some advise on just what i should do?i have 2 harmonic balancer,the one on the left is off the iron head 2.8 in my Fiero,ENG is dead just as
DR Fiero said it would be! crank is junk! so i got this ALUM head 2.8 to build up with all the good/parts from the 3 -2.8 iron head ENGs i have,all 3 have the same prob!
Crank?any how the crank in the ALUM head 2.8 is deffernt, a big round disk of thick steel in the center with notches in it for crank timeing,so what i would like to know is
can i put the harmonic balancer on the left on to that crank of the ALUM head 2.8, an will it work ok maby? i have looked an iam sure its bin done,some say you can an
some say you can't,has anyone tried this?