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Harmonic balancer/timing Problems

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Old 02-22-2012, 04:52 PM
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Car: 1985 Iroc-Z
Engine: 305
Harmonic balancer/timing Problems

Thanks to all the Threads that have helped before! I have an '85 Iroc with the 305 TPI. I just put new head gaskets and had the heads freshened, and thought I'll put new timing gears and a chain on while I'm at it. I bought a double roller and jumped into it. The first thing I noticed was the balancer was not up to the timing marks? I thought well the last monkey didnt get it all the way on, so off I went. Everything went together pretty smoothley, until i put the balancer on, It would'nt go on far enough to read the timing marks!

So after reading a few threads and found a couple tricks (heating, right installation tool,etc.) I tried again, same thing. i ended up taking it all apart, put the old (stretched!) chain and gears back on, same thing! I ordered a new one to make sure i had the right balancer, i did! so I just put the balancer on with the old gear(thinner) without the timing cover on too make sure it was getting seated to the crank gear , I measured from the backside of the balancer to the timing cover flange(?) it is 1"5/8. I then put the cover on the work bench and using a ruler flat on the timing marks to the cover flange is 1"7/16. So I dont see how it ever fit in the first place!

A few things 1. I dont know how the magnetic timing hole thingie works, maybe the balancer does'nt need to be up to timing marks? 2. The timing cover on my car looks the same as a pic in my haynes manual. 3. Is there some other way to time a car without the timing marks to balancer?

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer!
Old 02-22-2012, 05:04 PM
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Re: Harmonic balancer/timing Problems

What are you using to install the balancer?
Old 02-22-2012, 05:25 PM
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Re: Harmonic balancer/timing Problems

Originally Posted by Apeiron
What are you using to install the balancer?
Or the crank gear for that matter.
Old 02-22-2012, 08:18 PM
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Car: 1985 Iroc-Z
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Re: Harmonic balancer/timing Problems

A standard installer from autozone, I put a big shim in it to put the gear on. like I said I got so frustrated I took the timing cover off and made sure the gear was all the way up to the block, and then put the balancer on to make sure it wasnt binding or anything. It was all good, right up to the gear. Thats when I stated measuring. I seem to be 3/16" off???
Old 02-22-2012, 09:33 PM
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Re: Harmonic balancer/timing Problems

Originally Posted by PeteBreck
A standard installer from autozone, I put a big shim in it to put the gear on. like I said I got so frustrated I took the timing cover off and made sure the gear was all the way up to the block, and then put the balancer on to make sure it wasnt binding or anything. It was all good, right up to the gear. Thats when I stated measuring. I seem to be 3/16" off???
Any pictures?
Old 02-22-2012, 10:05 PM
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Re: Harmonic balancer/timing Problems

I'll get some pics up in the morning. Thanks for the interest!
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