balancer woes

buscg · Jul 1, 2012

So today I decided I would give the green dragon some new plugs, wires, clean MAF, and double check timing. Also I deleted alot of the BS smog pump stuff as how the pump was bypassed anyway. So I pull the plugs and really they look good, almost new. I changed the old accell 9mm wires which were starting to get worn and custom cut some new accel's to fit. Afterwards I jacked the car up to highlight with paint the timing marks on the balancer to set the timing. I get under there and one look at the balancer and I realize she has spun a couple times and looks to be a quarter inch forward off the rubber. with the rubber hanging out. What a "damper" on the day. Haha, Oh well better to find it now than after more damage is done. How many of you have had trouble with your balancers?

Musturd · Jul 1, 2012

Super common the stock balancers are junk

toyman · Jul 2, 2012

If you want to be on the safe side get a SFI certified balancer. Costs more but it will be the last one you buy.

JLG21611 · Jul 2, 2012

^+1

just replaced the stock dampner on mine with an SFI balancer due to the exact same issue you were having.....

spend more now to save another headache later

ivan12 · Jul 2, 2012

I have a friend who has always been into mustangs and has owned a few of them since we graduated high school about 10 years ago, he's always been the "Ford guy". So a month after his cousin rebuilt the 351 in his saleen he tells me that the engine is shaking really bad and he parked it because he was scared of doing more damage. My response "most likely the balancer, feel the back for rubber" his response "but it's a saleen piece and that can't be possible blah blah blah". So a week later he calls me to tell me that he has a brand new crate engine on the way and he found out the problem with his engine while pulling it. It was... The BALANCER. He'll never live this down. My stock balancer was beginning to fail on my car as well when I began the teardown, not the reason I tore it apart though.

Dr Fildo · Jul 3, 2012

I needed to replace mine at about 150K. I hear this is more or less pretty common. I replaced it with a stock balancer. If I get close to another 150K out of this one, I'll be pretty happy.

JJhirsch · Jul 3, 2012

They are very easy to change with a puller at a parts store. Make sure you don't use a power bond brand I Tryed 2 and it wouldn't seal correctly to the timing cover crank seal. It took me a long time to find out it was because of a defective part.

toyman · Jul 5, 2012

Is this the Powerbond you used? Mine has been flawless and the stainless steel is like new after 6 years.

buscg · Jul 11, 2012

Have any of you guys had problems with the front seal leaking after replacing the balancer? I havent changed it yet but Ive seen others develop leaks. Any tips tricks besides making sure its really clean?

cantbuytime · Jul 12, 2012

I have seen balancer's with a groove worn in them from the front seal. If it wasnt leaking before u changed the balancer, then it shouldnt be leaking now.. Unless the new balancer has a smaller outer diameter and/or the worn seal barely touches.

Also, I have replaced front seals due to people putting the balancer on dry (no oil on outer shaft or TC seal) and when they start it up, it eats the seal and grooves the balancer shaft.

Assembly lube, Lucas, oil, doesnt matter. Something so it isnt dry.