What is the best way to install a harmonic balancer?

How much room should be between the balancer and the timing cover?

thanks

 

Heat it up in an oven set to about 200 deg, slip it on the crank snout while still hot (use gloves). It should slip on without having to beat it.

 

Use a balancer instalation tool . The balancer will bottom out.

 

How long should I leave it in there for?
just until the oven preheats to 200,

or for like 10 minutes or so?

Thanks,



I have no installation tool, only the removal tool

 

Leave it in there for about 20-30 minutes after the oven reaches temp. but don't go any higher than 200 deg, this can damage the elastomer ring that connects the inner and outer rings.

 

Thanks for the help. but I have already beat it on there pretty good

it is already abouyt 1/4 inch away from the timing cover
I think I will just beat it in until it stops getting closer

I will use your method next time for sure though. COuld have saved me some time probably
well, at least some trouble

 

Beating it on the crank isn't good. The crank and bearings were never meant for the axial loads that beating a damper on imposses, you can do serious damage to the engine doing that.

 

buy or rent an installtion tool and do it the right way

 

it appears as though we are too late...if a guy does a search, he can find a list of items he can get from a hardware store for about 2 bucks, that will work just fine.

 

7/16-20 threaded rod, about 5" long;

7/16-20 hex nut;

7/16" or 1/2" flat washer;

A 1/2" drive deep socket from your tools box.

That's all you need. I bought a 3' section of 7/16-20 threaded rod for about $5, and nuts and washers are pennies each. I have enough rod to make half a dozen installers (pretty much a lifetime supply). I don't lose sleep over damaging the thrust surfaces of the #5 main bearing, either.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=111598

 

Well that sucks.

I hope I didn't f**k anything up in there.

Why couldn't one of you guys be my next door neighbor?

 

Ya never know, maybe one of us IS.......