I have determined that the timng ring on my harmonic balancer has moved (which explains all the trouble with timing I was having!). I will probably never turn the engine over 6500.

Should I go back with a stock" OEM" type or go to an after market type?

Do the aftermarket do any better job in balancing?

Do aftermarket do better job of timing ring not slipping?

ANY advice, experiances or comments will be appreciated

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Because of health issues, I am just now getting around to dealing with this situation. After looking at Summitt/Jeg's, how do I know what size is the correct for my 89 350?

What difference does the size of it make anyway? Larger the more dampening?

If timing ring has slipped like I know it has, why can't I just get one of the timing ring covers?

Is paying 2 or 3 hundred dollars for an aftermarket dampner worth it?





Some one please educate me!

 

The harmonic balancer really doesn't do anything to balance the engine/rotating assembly, per se. What it does is absorb the harmonics in the crankshaft created by the impulsive nature of power generation. Without something to absorb (or, balance) the harminics, the crankshaft might become resonant and fail (crack) from harmonic stresses.

An elsastomer type balancer, such as an OEM, does fine as long as the inertia ring is in position and solidly bonded to the elastomer element. A fluid type damper will not degrade over time since it is not dependent upon an elastomer that may break down.

 

You know, I kinda feel foolish, because a search for 'harmonic dampner"-- "harmonic dampner balancer"--and "harmonic" with limited results before I posted this question. Then afterward, i remembered I didn't do one for "harmonic balancer". This provided all the answers to my questions and more!

Thsi knida backups my statement that I made when I first got on this board; "There is a wealth of information on this board, about any subject, if you just take the time to look for it (do a search), read it, and absorb it!"

If anyone reading this wants to learn everything U need to know about harmonic balancers, click on the search link below:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sea...der=descending

 

I'd go with an ATI or even Fluidampr. They are pricy but in my opinion worth the cash

 

You can jump on a fluid Dampr for about 269.00, but there is a street dampr for 169.00.
The only difference is the fluid Dampr is SFI approved for very high rpms.

TCI runs around 269, and the ATI runs a about 340 or so.
Proform makes an oem replacment for a little over 50 bucks.

Good Luck.

Ron