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Balancing ActHarmonic Balancer How-Tos From the February, 2009 issue of Chevy High Performance By Scott Crouse Photography by Jeff Smith
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 If this is the only time youre...  If this is the only time youre going to remove and replace your harmonic balancer, maybe a rental from the parts store is the route for you. The black combination puller/installer (PN 300) is from Precision Performance Products and is an excellent tool that includes different adapters for all kinds of situations, making it a good choice for professional engine builders.  The smaller black installation...  The smaller black installation tool can be obtained from Powerhouse Products. They also offer a puller (not shown).  Matco Tools offers a puller...  Matco Tools offers a puller set (PN 7790) that can also remove timing gears. This set can remove almost anything that is tapped from 1-1/2 to 4-5/8 inches, and it comes in a nice tray.  With the crank-bolt removed,...  With the crank-bolt removed, check the bolts in the kit to make sure the threads match those in the balancer. After applying lubricant, thread the center screw partway through the puller and rest the swivel against the end of the crank (convex side against the crank). Now match the pointed end of the center screw (already threaded through the puller) to the dimple in the swivel. Hold everything in place and thread in the puller bolts (with washers). Make sure the three bolts are in evenly and at least halfway so they wont pull the threads out of the balancer.  With everything in place,...  With everything in place, make sure the puller is perpendicular to the balancer, and thread the center screw clockwise by hand until it becomes tight against the crank. Continue to tighten the center puller bolt and it will begin to pull off. If the center screw bottoms out, you will need to back off the center bolt and further tighten the three outside bolts.  Before putting the new balancer...  Before putting the new balancer on, check to make sure the keyway in the crankshaft is lined up with the balancer. Coat the balancer hub inside and out with oil and slide it over the end of the crank. With the balancer on the end of the crank, thread your center screw (with the bearing and washer) into the crank and turn it clockwise until it tightens against the balancer. Slowly tighten the center screw while making sure the balancer is sliding on the crank-snout evenly. When the balancer bottoms out against the crank, remove the installer and you are ready to torque the crank-bolt to spec. CHP You have just yanked the motor out of the engine bay, and its ready for a rebuild. As you begin to disassemble the front accessories, you realize that the timing cover isnt going to come off until that circular-looking weight on the crankshaft is removed. You take a second look and notice there is a bolt sticking out of the crankshaft so you attempt to take it off, but the darn motor turns over. The bolt wont loosen, so you get clever and turn the air compressor on and put your new air impact tool to use. The bolt backs out of the crankshaft, and you think youre on your way. You begin pulling on the balancer, and it wont budge. You even manage to carefully wedge a crowbar in behind it, and the balancer still wont come off. After hours of dismay, you give up and decide to take a look at the newest issue of CHP for its awesome tech. Here is how to do it.
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