Hi thirdgen ! My harmonic balancer wobbles quite a bit should have replaced it before the swap but oh well !

Ok so I need help finding the right stuff so I'll list the details here, i have 86 camaro IROC TPI, automatic with a swapped 350 in it, so which one should I get if anyone can link one from ebay that would be great 👍 also people talked about replacing the seal ? What's the name of the seal ? Does it come with a full timing chain cover gasket set, or can I buy it by itself ? Any tips would help thanks !

 

You can buy a balancer by it self, where’s the timing pointer now and what diameter balancer

 

Not sure what diameter, it came off my stock 305, and as for the pointer I'm not sure how to tell the position it looks like it's at the 2 o'clock from the balancer? If that helps

 

Might measure it 6 3/4 or if it’s a 8” . If the cover is off the 86 305 get a matching balancer in the size measured. Gm12551537 is a 6 3/4 I think timing cover had marks like picture. For 86

 

Right: you need the one that the mark lines up with the tab real close to 12:00. They put it there because the PS pump in a front-steer setup is RIGHT DRIECTLY IN THE WAY of the old location. You look down between the water pump and timing cover to see it.

The seal is called "timing cover seal" or "front seal". Yes you can buy it by itself. It's ALOT eeeeezier to put it in and get it not to leak if you remove the cover first. Set it on a block of wood backing up the seal bore and massage it gently with another block of wood and a single mighty whap from your BFH. DO NOT try to "tap" it in around the edge; it will leak EVERY TIME if you do it that way, and you risk bending the cover as well, such that you even lose the ability to take it back apart and do it right, short of replacing the cover. If you simply MUST do it the hard and risky way, use a piece of pipe or the like, of the same diameter as the outside of the seal.

Perfect opportunity to renew the water pump as well, if you haven't done that lately.

 

I would also highly recommend removing the Timing Cover.

I always install new Front Seals with a Wooden Jig (to correctly support the Timing Cover) that I milled...
And a small Shop Press with some red Loc-Tite around the OD, and some Auto. Trans Assembly Lube on the ID (Vaseline is an acceptable substitute).

 

Also do not Hammer-On the new Balancer...
It can open the Crankshaft Thrust Clearance to a point of concern.

Use the appropriate installation tool to press the Balancer on to the Crankshaft Snout.