Ok, I need some input regarding the installation of a harmonic balancer a.k.a. the damper! I recently purchased a small journal 327ci engine that was in a '65 vette. Was it original to the car? Really couldn't say......so far all the casting #'s seem to indicate that it did.

Anyways, a local machine shop in my area was tasked with rebuilding the engine. It now resides in my garage waiting for it's new home within the bosom of a 1964 Chevy II Wagon as soon as it exits the body shop (seems like a little bit of an engine swap is going on here...194 straight 6 to a small block 8) My question is this: how in the heck do you install the balancer onto the crankshaft snout if the snout does not have a threaded insert to hold the balancer in place?????? Is this typical of the small journal crank???? Is the key in the crankshaft snout the only device that will hold the balancer in place???? Does anybody know the answer to this riddle???? Apparently I don't............!!

Thanks, Wes..........

ps....check out my website at: http://www.centexchevy2wagon.com

"how in the heck do you install the balancer onto the crankshaft snout if the snout does not have a threaded insert to hold the balancer in place??????"

I hate to crash a party, but if what you say is accurate then you have a big problem.  If the inner portion of the crank's snout doesn't have useable threads then there's no way the balancer will either go completely on or securely remain on once installed.

I was afraid someone was going to come across with that answer.......Then it would seem safe to assume that the crank is not original to the block or the threaded insert within the crank snout were completely reamed out! The only thing baffling about the crank is that the recessed insert in the crank snout has a more conical decline and is only 1/2" in depth with no threads. And it doesn't seem like anyone altered the insert.....Strange!

Thanks........

Is the key in the crankshaft snout the only device that will hold the balancer in place???? Does anybody know the answer to this riddle???? Apparently I don't............!!

Yes, that is all that holds it in place plus an interfence fit.

To install a 327 balancer with out treads, you can have the crank tap. You can also try using a block of wood and a large mallet. The best way is to use a brass hammer and hit it all the way around it, until it bottoms out on the chain lower gear.

Chevrolet didn't have damper bolts until '69 or so.  A lot of people do not know that. 

  I was rebuilding a '66 283 a few years ago and needed a good way to turn the crank while  on the stand.  I went to Autozone and asked if they had the large "nut" style turner which has a slot for the keyway.  The guy told me to just use the damper bolt.  I told him it was too old for the bolt.   He proceeded to tell me that they all had them and mine was broken off and, in so many words, that I was an idiot.  Anyhow, I just had Jegs overnight me one and got back to work the next day.  I found an article a few months later in CHP that mentioned when they started using bolts and thought about taking it to show the fat moron at Autozone but decided it didn't matter.  That is one of just a long list of Autozone beefs I have, but whatever. 

I drove wooden construction shims between the back-end of my crank  and the flat plate on the engine stand to support it while I drove the damper on the front with a socket and mallet.

the 327 and 283 balancer is held on by a keyway that goes in a slot on the crank snout,this is known as a press on damper,the better thing to do is have your machine shop drill the end of your crank and tap threads in it so you can use a bolt like later model motors,i do this to all my 283 motors i build and now run because they spin so many rpm,if you dont want to have it drilled then just use a piece of 2x4 and hold it against the damper and hit it with a hammer a little at a time until the damper is on,using the bolt doesnt cost much tho'

                                                         good luck

                                                              MOOSE

                                                                          spokane,wa

i hate autozone too.  

the original 265/283/327 balancers  were really not heavy enough to give gm problems with them coming loose... once the problem started coming back at them... they started drilling and tapping the crank snouts..

oh... and i have started searching for parts online.. then calling first... and taking the part numbers with me....

if you want a good laugh...read on..

i was waiting inline at the local AZ... there was a guy standing there with 6 gm torx headed exhaust flange studs... and a single a/c spark plug...CR43TS   so i told him that the exhaust studs for his 4.3 chevy astro van would be on the isle over there and the plugs would be behind the counter..   make sure they give you six... his jaw dropped...  how did you know what kind of car i have. he ask...  i said i am a really good mechanic and can tell what kind of car most parts come off of...   he looked at the rusty studs in his hand and the single spark plug and was totally amazed...   i just took a wild guess....   sometimes it just works out...


wayne...