My harmonic balancer just went. The rubber is gone. Now the outer part is spinning and making noise. Also my car isn't running good at all. My questions are; will it hurt the engine if I drive around for a few days with out it, and when replacing the old one how do I know where the balancer goes in? is there a mark on the inner piece that will tell me, so that I can put the new one in the same position?

 

I wouldn't drive without the balancer.

There is a woodruff key in the crankshaft and a corresponding keyway in the balancer. This is what aligns the crank and the balancer, and furthermore, the balancers timing mark.

 

Yes you can do engine damage if you place strain on your motor (race it ) and your harmonics timing is all out of whack.

If your motor is stock get a stock replacement. they have a slotted key way with only one way to go and off use a lil oil or grease to help it slide on.

One thing you need to do is get a Harmonic balancer removal tool to get the old one off.
While you remove the old one BE SURE NOT TO STRIP THE THREADS IN THE CENTER OF YOUR CRANK OR YOU WILL BE SORRY.
If you do stip them you will not be able to pull your new harmonic balancer on.

 

Pioneer makes a pretty decent factory replacement balancer. I have one on my Caprice (LG4).

 

Crap, thats twice today...stupid posting thing...