Some kinda rubber

[Dr.Scientist]

There is some kinda rubber sticking out the back of my harmonic balancer. There is quite a lot of it sticking out actually. Something tells me this isn't ok. Or is it? Maybe this is why I have valve clatter at high RPMs? Haha

 

[rz5.0]

Time for a new one

 

[Javi]

Don't drive the car again until you change the Harmonic balancer!

 

[toyman]

Most definitely replace ASAP. That little dampner (HB) will destroy an engine fairly quickly if the outer ring starts to slip and you can't keep your foot off the skinny pedal.

 

[Dr.Scientist]

Ok thanks guys. How hard is it to change the balance from underneath the car? Is it a huge pain?

 

[matholland]

do it from up top...take your belt off, take your radiator fan off, use the puller to pull it off, and reverse...i didnt have to use a pusher to push mine on, mine slid right on, some have to use a tool to push it on..if you dont have the puller/pusher rent it at autozone

 

[Javi]

Oh yea, do your self a favor and rent the puller/install tools.

DO NOT! I repeat DO NOT!! Try install the HB with the force of the bolt.

 

[Dr.Scientist]

Ok are there any special requirements or settings that need to be put into place? Or do you just slap the new one on there, the only way it will go?

 

[toyman]

It can only go on one way. There is a keyway on the shaft. There is a procedure to be followed. You might want to get a copy of a repair manual.

 

[Dr.Scientist]

I plan on doing the typical heads/cam/intake stuff one day. Is there a balancer that is slightly better than stock that I should be looking at? Or is the stock balancer just fine for performance applications?

 

[ivan12]

It's fine until you start making real power

 

[Dr.Scientist]

Dang the cheapest one I can find is $53 shipped from rockauto. What do you guys think about buying a used harmonic balancer? Is it a wise decision?

 

[BigTang]

to be honest you have a used one on there now. they all do this at some point. Just buy the summit racing one for $60 or the FRPP replacement, they're cheap.
Do not use heat on it in the car, you can put it in the oven to expand it a little as needed. make sure you put a new front seal on while you're there, I also recommend buying a new ARP crank bolt while you're there as the stock one will gall up a little and can back out once its reused.

 

[BigTang]

actually you should buy this one:
I offered him $30 last week and they countered w/ $50

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LUNA...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

last balancer you'll ever need. its comp cam's back door garage sale i buy from them all the time, its legit.

 

[toyman]

Definitely cheap. It doesn't say if it's a 50 oz imbalance HB though. If you want/need something good any SFI certified will be sufficient.

 

[BigTang]

It says 50 oz really big in the middle of the ad.

 

[toyman]

I still don't see where it says 50 oz. I do see this though
.
"LUNATI FORD Mustang 5.0 Crank Damper 96000 Balancer"

Are you reading the 5.0 as the imbalance weight? That's the engine reference (5.0 L)

 

[BigTang]

FORD 302 cid

1981-1995

50 oz Balancer

SBF FORD MUSTANG 5.0

Lunati # 96000


Right on the middle of the page

 

[Dr.Scientist]

Doesn't seem to have any numbers next to the lines. How do you tell where to make your mark, to set the timing?

 

[BigTang]

Doesn't seem to have any numbers next to the lines. How do you tell where to make your mark, to set the timing?

its got a reference mark for 0 and 30 degrees in advance and 20 in retard best i can tell. it really shouldn't matter as you should be setting your timing with an advance light preferably a digital one off of the zero. the more i look at it the more i'm thinking about picking on up just to have in case I build another stock 5.0.