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Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 01:32 AM
  #1  
mustangslayer86's Avatar
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Car: '88 GTA / '93 Z28
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Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

Well the title says it all. My harmonic balancer seal broke and I was wondering... Would I feel comfortable just replacing the seal or should I get a completely new balancer? Honestly, if the seal will last me a good while thats good too, but I just don't want to have to worry about it riding down the road. I'm wondering how durable they are. Can someone give me some suggestions or provide some good links? I'll take a look at all of them. Thanks.
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 02:56 AM
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Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

Pull the balancer and check it. If the snout on the balancer has a lip/ridge, you're screwed and you need a new one.
If not, then just grab a new seal.
PS - I love those wheels and white letter tires on that car. That's my style. (and unfortunately only my style on this forum...)
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 04:38 PM
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
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Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

Originally Posted by Sonix
If the snout on the balancer has a lip/ridge, you're screwed and you need a new one.
No, you just need a repair sleeve and a matching seal.
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 06:58 PM
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mustangslayer86's Avatar
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From: Denton, Maryland
Car: '88 GTA / '93 Z28
Engine: L98(350) / LT1 (350)
Transmission: 700R4 / 4L60E
Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

I grabbed a seal for now. I can't afford the full balancer and it's still hanging on there in good shape. I caught it just as it broke off in my driveway and has only been started once for about 10 seconds after its done so hopefully I didn't ruin it
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 07:02 PM
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From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

What are you calling the "seal"? The only seal on the balancer is the front oil seal in the timing cover, and when it fails it leaks oil, not makes the balancer fall off.
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 07:06 PM
  #6  
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From: Denton, Maryland
Car: '88 GTA / '93 Z28
Engine: L98(350) / LT1 (350)
Transmission: 700R4 / 4L60E
Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

Well its a really tiny ring that goes on the front of the balancer. It has a spring wrapped around the inside. Hang on, I'll check the specific name.

Timing Cover Seal? Sound right?
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 07:17 PM
  #7  
mustangslayer86's Avatar
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From: Denton, Maryland
Car: '88 GTA / '93 Z28
Engine: L98(350) / LT1 (350)
Transmission: 700R4 / 4L60E
Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

Alright, now the guy at autozone is telling me I'm going to need a new harmonic balancer. The rubber has separated from the metal. I'm thinking I wasn't descriptive enough.
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 07:22 PM
  #8  
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From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
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Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

Originally Posted by mustangslayer86
Alright, now the guy at autozone is telling me I'm going to need a new harmonic balancer. The rubber has separated from the metal. I'm thinking I wasn't descriptive enough.
Yup. I didnt know that rubber insulator was replaceable?

Anyways, you can always go to a scrap yard and grab one from another 305/350...or, grab a decent one from Summit.

I think you can pick up a decent SFI balancer from Summit for just over $100.
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 07:35 PM
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From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

Originally Posted by mustangslayer86
Well its a really tiny ring that goes on the front of the balancer. It has a spring wrapped around the inside. Hang on, I'll check the specific name.

Timing Cover Seal? Sound right?
That's the front oil seal. It's not on the front of the balancer though.

Originally Posted by mustangslayer86
Alright, now the guy at autozone is telling me I'm going to need a new harmonic balancer. The rubber has separated from the metal. I'm thinking I wasn't descriptive enough.
The rubber that's between the outer ring of the balance and the inner hub? That's not a seal, it's the elastomer ring of the balancer that absorbs the vibration. If that's bad, you need a new balancer.


Which of those do you need? They're very different parts.

Last edited by Apeiron; Aug 5, 2008 at 02:55 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old Aug 5, 2008 | 02:45 AM
  #10  
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From: Denton, Maryland
Car: '88 GTA / '93 Z28
Engine: L98(350) / LT1 (350)
Transmission: 700R4 / 4L60E
Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

Autozone has one for $50. Could I get away with that?

P.S. if you could find a link in your spare time, that'd be cool if I need to get one from Summit.
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Old Aug 5, 2008 | 09:10 AM
  #11  
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From: Savannah GA
Car: 1986 IROC
Engine: 355" TPI
Transmission: 700R4
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Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

The autozone one is as good as any.
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Old Aug 5, 2008 | 07:35 PM
  #12  
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From: Denton, Maryland
Car: '88 GTA / '93 Z28
Engine: L98(350) / LT1 (350)
Transmission: 700R4 / 4L60E
Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

My dad bought one for $35. I'll install it soon.

I need to know guys... Is this a common problem or am I running that engine too hard?
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Old Jul 3, 2009 | 04:38 PM
  #13  
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Re: Harmonic Balancer... To get a new or just a seal

...

Last edited by joshwilson3; Feb 28, 2012 at 07:53 PM.
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