Harmonic Balancer Replacement
Printed From: West Coast Fieros
Category: Technical Topics Forum
Forum Name: Technical Questions and Discussions
Forum Description: Got a technical question about your fiero? ask it here.
URL: http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1922
Printed Date: 18 January 2025 at 8:57pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Harmonic Balancer Replacement
Posted By: Bassman
Subject: Harmonic Balancer Replacement
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 9:43pm
|
Hi all, I was over at John's tonight to search out a oil leak, can get on the track leaking...and John noticed my harmonic balancer is hooped. On LORDCO, out of stock, I will call them tomorrow. So searching on Pennock's as I have no idea what I am doing...and find this site, anyone heard of them?, should I consider the high performance?. http://www.damperdoctor.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=DD - http://www.damperdoctor.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SF NT&Store_Code=DD Any input would be great, I need to find and order the part first Thank you...Brian ------------- Brian (Bassman) 86 GT Fastback 3.2L 2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png"> |
Replies:
Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 10:14pm
|
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. :( ------------- I wanna go fast. |
Posted By: Fire451
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 10:31pm
Wow that hurt my head.... Brian how is it hooped? Did it just slip or??? ------------- 
|
Matt wrote:Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 10:49pm
|
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. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 10:49pm
|
The harmonic balancer is relatively easy to change on the 2.8 with the engine just where it is. Removal of the wheel well "skirt" and possibly of the wheel well tub is all that's required for access to the balancer. (Obviously the passenger side rear wheel has to come off as well.)
|
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 11:05pm
|
That makes 2 of us. Hence my post explaining why. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 11:14pm
|
Np, glad my advice is appreciated.
------------- I wanna go fast. |
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 29 June 2010 at 11:22pm
|
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. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Dr.Fiero
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 6:22am
|
A portion of the rubber ring has oozed out at one point, and is missing at another! It's also wobbling (I was laying under the car with it running and noticed). I've got Brian heading in the right direction to get a new one. They're not that much, and it's just as much work to put a used 25yr old one in, as a new one. It's not like this one is falling off tomorrow - it's just a slight wobble. |
Posted By: Bassman
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 6:30am
|
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
------------- Brian (Bassman) 86 GT Fastback 3.2L 2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png"> |
Posted By: Bassman
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 9:20am
|
Suggestions please:)... Lordco 4-8 weeks as they are back ordered / NAPA cannot find the part listing / Dapner Doctor for a rebuilt at a good price...leaning towards the rebuild...
------------- Brian (Bassman) 86 GT Fastback 3.2L 2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png"> |
Posted By: Dr.Fiero
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 9:48am
|
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). |
Posted By: Bassman
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:01am
|
With the core of $35, and Lordco at $135 CAD anyways, paying $100 USD and have it here next week seems to be the best route...I am hoping to get this done before July 9th potential track day, then July 18th Team enduro...if Lordco does not get it here for 6 weeks, my car is off the road by then...lol ------------- Brian (Bassman) 86 GT Fastback 3.2L 2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png"> |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 10:36am
|
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 http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/100649.html - Here . Take note of the comments in that thread about the problem of getting new harmonic balancers with incorrect timing marks.
|
Posted By: Bassman
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 11:51am
|
Thinking the rebuilt is the choice...I read that post last night, think I'll place my order tomorrow...thanks Patrick ------------- Brian (Bassman) 86 GT Fastback 3.2L 2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png"> |
Posted By: Romeo
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:12pm
|
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? ------------- Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan. |
Posted By: Bassman
Date Posted: 30 June 2010 at 12:34pm
|
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
Only does rebuilt for our cars... ------------- Brian (Bassman) 86 GT Fastback 3.2L 2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png"> |
Posted By: ARTIC-1
Date Posted: 05 July 2010 at 9:21pm
|
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? 
------------- SNOW MAN 87-GT/AUTO-2.8_ WHITE 88-TTop/ Duke-2.5. RED |
Posted By: ARTIC-1
Date Posted: 05 July 2010 at 9:23pm
ALUM head 2.8,what year is this motor?
 ------------- SNOW MAN 87-GT/AUTO-2.8_ WHITE 88-TTop/ Duke-2.5. RED |