harmonic balancer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Will84 · 08-09-2003, 11:09 PM

I am trying to get the harmonic balancer back on a 84 Chevy 6 cylinder 250
(4.1)truck. There is no bolt in the middle to press it back in. It is a
press fit only that holds the harmonic balancer there. I can pound it on
about a 1/4 of the way but that is it. I even went out and bought Chilton
manual for the truck and typical Chilton's style there is no useful
information on how to do this.

**crossy** · 08-09-2003, 11:28 PM

remove and run a piece of sandpaper inside of it and make sure there are no burrs. heat to 275 -300 in oven . use wife's favorite hot mitt or pot holders if you don't have welding gloves . you only have few seconds once installed because the heat will transfer fast. DAVE

**swervin ervin** · 08-09-2003, 11:57 PM

If you heat a harmonic dampener, you stand a good chance of ruining the rubber that holds the outer ring on. Do yourself a big favor and rent a installation tool. Heating works great on the crank timing gear though.

Or, if you can make one to get you by. Buy a bolt that fits the crankshaft threads (can't remember size), a nut to fit this bolt, and some big, thick washers. Put the washers on the bolt, followed by the nut. Start the balancer on the crank snout, then thread the bolt in. Bottom the bolt in the crank. Don't tighten it down real hard. Now start running the nut and washers up to the balancer. It just a matter of holding the bolt with a wrench, while you tighten the nut. It should pull it right on.

Oh, and don't beat on the balancer with a big hammer. It's not good for the thrust bearing.

Mike76251 · 08-10-2003, 05:47 AM

Yeah............heat will ruin the rubber elastomer.
You won't know it till' you get it all buttoned up and running either then BAM........it might take out several things along with it.
Get the right tool or pay.

Will84 · 08-10-2003, 08:14 AM

There is no bolt in the middle. If there is a tool to install this I would like to know how it works. The only threaded areas are the three holes for the puller. I have done this before on a different engine using the bolt are you describe but there is no bolt on this crank.

**swervin ervin** · 08-10-2003, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Will84
There is no bolt in the middle. If there is a tool to install this I would like to know how it works. The only threaded areas are the three holes for the puller. I have done this before on a different engine using the bolt are you describe but there is no bolt on this crank.

Well then, you will need to use an installation tool.

Will84 · 08-11-2003, 11:42 AM

I just talked the the Chevy dealership and the mechanic said that it has to be driven on. There is no tool to put this on. I guess I will sand it to get rid of any burs then heat it as much as I dare and pound.

jimfulco · 08-12-2003, 12:46 AM

Seems like they live in a fairly hot environment. You could heat it up a little, say maybe 150* or so. Be sure & put wood between the hammer & the hub when you pound.

08-09-2003, 11:09 PM	#1
Will84 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 3	harmonic balancer I am trying to get the harmonic balancer back on a 84 Chevy 6 cylinder 250 (4.1)truck. There is no bolt in the middle to press it back in. It is a press fit only that holds the harmonic balancer there. I can pound it on about a 1/4 of the way but that is it. I even went out and bought Chilton manual for the truck and typical Chilton's style there is no useful information on how to do this.

08-09-2003, 11:28 PM	#2
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	remove and run a piece of sandpaper inside of it and make sure there are no burrs. heat to 275 -300 in oven . use wife's favorite hot mitt or pot holders if you don't have welding gloves . you only have few seconds once installed because the heat will transfer fast. DAVE __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

08-09-2003, 11:57 PM	#3
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	If you heat a harmonic dampener, you stand a good chance of ruining the rubber that holds the outer ring on. Do yourself a big favor and rent a installation tool. Heating works great on the crank timing gear though. Or, if you can make one to get you by. Buy a bolt that fits the crankshaft threads (can't remember size), a nut to fit this bolt, and some big, thick washers. Put the washers on the bolt, followed by the nut. Start the balancer on the crank snout, then thread the bolt in. Bottom the bolt in the crank. Don't tighten it down real hard. Now start running the nut and washers up to the balancer. It just a matter of holding the bolt with a wrench, while you tighten the nut. It should pull it right on. Oh, and don't beat on the balancer with a big hammer. It's not good for the thrust bearing. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

08-10-2003, 08:14 AM	#5
Will84 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 3	There is no bolt There is no bolt in the middle. If there is a tool to install this I would like to know how it works. The only threaded areas are the three holes for the puller. I have done this before on a different engine using the bolt are you describe but there is no bolt on this crank.

08-10-2003, 05:47 AM	#4
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	Yeah............heat will ruin the rubber elastomer. You won't know it till' you get it all buttoned up and running either then BAM........it might take out several things along with it. Get the right tool or pay.

08-11-2003, 11:42 AM	#7
Will84 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 3	I just talked the the Chevy dealership and the mechanic said that it has to be driven on. There is no tool to put this on. I guess I will sand it to get rid of any burs then heat it as much as I dare and pound.

08-12-2003, 12:46 AM	#8
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Seems like they live in a fairly hot environment. You could heat it up a little, say maybe 150* or so. Be sure & put wood between the hammer & the hub when you pound.



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