What caused this?

[Casey Marks]

I'm not one to mince words. If you use a hammer (big or small) to install a balancer, you are an IDIOT ! I don't care if you can pound on the balancer and the snout of the crank all day long with a hatchet and have it not break. You are still compromising the integrity of the thrust bearing in the engine. As was said before, the balancer should go over the snout snug and require a little ass to seat properly against the slinger/lower timing gear. If it slips right on Marlin, get you's self another balancer. I think that FluidDamper makes a stock-like Chev balancer that would be the ticket. NOW ... with all that said. If it did go on originally with a snug fit, then the question becomes .... "What was the root cause of it getting loose ?" If you have an engine balance issue, it could be the cause for the balancer getting goofed up (technical term). I've NEVER used Loctite on a balancer bolt and have never had one come loose. Just a thought .........

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Thanks for the reply Casey, I ordered an installer tool - no need to use the BFH. I believe the rca is a bolt that lossened up, I don't believe I have an engine balance issue. I had the engine balanced by the machine shop, including the flywheel and pressure plate. Another deuce owner also found a loose balancer bolt after racing, so we are both using loctite this time around.

I spent about 4 hours over the holidays cleaning up the crank snout, there was some slight galling from the old balancer. I finished it up with some 600 grit paper, looks nice.

The replacement balancer fits snug when pressed on by hand, but obviously it's only about a 1/4" installed. I'm awaiting the installer tool, then I'll know for sure how things have worked out. I will change the oil, and break open the filter to see how it looks.

[PeteLeathersac]

Probably not great on the threads with an air tool but I always used an impact gun to draw them in...a 1/2 drive ratchet or johnny-bar if no air available. .
Had a few fail that spun between the inner/outer but can't recall any ever coming loose? .

Considering possible failure results, whatever the installation method it's probably not a bad idea to check and confirm periodically? .


~ Pete

[68l30]

This is always a area of concern on my 68 327 L-30...In 68 the L-30 uses a pressed on balancer with NO bolt..The crank is not even drilled for one...Kind of scary on the top end..I guess I'll know when it decides to part with the crank...


Steve

[Motion Camaro]

[ QUOTE ]
This is always a area of concern on my 68 327 L-30...In 68 the L-30 uses a pressed on balancer with NO bolt..The crank is not even drilled for one...Kind of scary on the top end..I guess I'll know when it decides to part with the crank...


Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">I have 3 early 327 cranks. I have drilled &amp; tapped all of them.
I would never take the chance after all these years
of having it launch through the radiator, tires, hood, firewall, etc. @ 8000+ rpm. </font>

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This is always a area of concern on my 68 327 L-30...In 68 the L-30 uses a pressed on balancer with NO bolt..The crank is not even drilled for one...Kind of scary on the top end..I guess I'll know when it decides to part with the crank...


Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">I have 3 early 327 cranks. I have drilled &amp; tapped all of them.
I would never take the chance after all these years
of having it launch through the radiator, tires, hood, firewall, etc. @ 8000+ rpm. </font>

[/ QUOTE ]

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE SOMETHING COMING LOOSE AT SPEED. STILL A TEENAGER, I MUST'VE HURRIED THROUGH AN ENGINE SWAP A WEEK EARLIER WITHOUT COMPLETELY TIGHTENING THE RADIATOR. SATURDAY NIGHT ON OCEAN PARKWAY AT ABOUT 75MPH, MY 65 IMPALA SS VERT 4SPD LAUNCHED THE RADIATOR INTO THE FAN, IT WAS JUST A FIZZING SOUND, LIKE TIN CANS IN A BLENDER. COULDNT SEE THE CAR BEHIND ME, NOTHING BUT STEAM ASTERN.
SINCE I WAS ON THE PARKWAY, I COULD NOT USE MY OWN WRECKER AND PAID TWICE AS MUCH FOR THE TOW AS THE REPLACEMENT RADIATOR.
I ALWAYS CHECK MY NUTS (AT LEAST) TWICE NOW.