How to install a harmonic balancer?

[chevybill]

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving day.

I have my engine cleaned to paint with the POR-15 engine paint kit.

My question is how do you install a harmonic balancer? Do you use the same tool that removes a harmonic balancer? or is there a specific harmonic balancer installation tool?

Also I will be buying a crankshaft pulley and water pump and water pump pulley from summit do I need to purchase the larger diameter pulleys or the smaller diameter pulleys? Should the water pump pulley be smaller so it will turn faster and a larger pulley on the crankshaft?

I realize this is a very elementary question, but I need some assistance on this.

Thanks everyone.

[neonlarry]

Rent an installer for free from AutoZone.

[jimfulco]

If you can't locate an installer tool, you can use a length of all-thread (7/16" fine thread for SBC) along with a nut, a couple of regular 7/16" flat washers, and the thick balancer washer. The washers & threads should be greased to make it a little easier. I've used a thrust bearing from an A/C compressor clutch tool, but it's not really necessary. Whatever you do, don't try to use the balancer bolt. The threads are not long enough & you might strip out the hole in the crank.

[A.P.]

What I did was to go to homedepot and got a longer bold with the same thread as the one in the harmanic balancer. Also got some washers and it worked great.


A.P.

[70GMCer]

What ever you do, DON'T use the harmonic balancer bolt to install the balancer onto the crank. I did that, and half way thru, the bolt broke off inside the crank.......bummer......oh, and a lot of foul words came out of my mouth!!!

lol

[papawswrench]

A.P. - I would caution anyone NOT to just buy a bolt from a hardware store to do this with ! You need a bolt of at least the same grade as the original bolt , just longer . If you get an inferior grade bolt , you triple the likelihood of breaking it off in the crank !
JMHO

[chevybill]

so you guys are saying there is a different tool for installation and a different tool for removal?

how about some pulley input for the crank and water pump (see the first post)

thanks for all the replies

[Sonny]

As for size of pulleys, you need to consider the operating rpm of the engine. I bought the March Performance Serpentine Belt Kit (Alt, WP, PS Kit) which worked perfect when I had the TH400 installed. I would regularly have the engine turning more than 1800-2000 rpm which is enough to turn the alternator fast enough to start charging. Now that I put the 700R4 in I have to make sure I rev the engine to over 2000rpm to get the alternator to start charging. The engine rarely sees 2000 rpm now, unless I put my foot in it. Not complaining, now I have a reason to put my foot in it!

[A.P.]

papawswrench your are correct on using a bolt with the same grade or better. The bolt I used was.

[chooch406]

Use a good quality grade 8 7/16 fine thread. Clean the crank threads there's a lot of pressure on the bolt as your trying to force the balancer on. Clean and oil the outside of the crank snout and the inside of the balancer. You might have to play around with the number of washers just make sure you have a lot of threads engaged otherwise they'll pull out.This is what you're trying to make on the cheap http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...h.asp&x=38&y=6
I'd start a new post as far as pulleys go.

Mike