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

 

Go aftermarket.........

No "outer"ring slipping.............

/N.

 

I went with the Fluidamper Streetdamper. It is one piece so it can't slip any, and you'll never need to replace it with different motor combos.

 

Yeah, aftermaket. I like the ATI Super Damper. Nice piece...

 

Is it a 1 piece--non slip?

 

ATI Super Dampers are none slip. They are not exactly one piece, but they are bolted together from them and they don't slip.

The Fluid Damper is a one piece, none slip damper as well.

Both are good parts...

 

Cool--Thanks for the info!!!

 

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!

 

Generally the larger the diameter of the damper, the better it dampens.

They come in two configurations; Those for internally balanced engines and those for externally balanced ones. Also, they are offered in different diameters; with the smaller diameter ones used due to chassis restrictions.

The C4 Vette comes with a 6-3/4" damper from the factory. When swapping to a 400 block, which calls for a 8" diameter damper, the 8"er won't clear the steering. So either the restriction has to be dealt with by grinding and welding or a special 6-3/4" damper located that will fit and work with the externally balanced 400 crank AND will clear the obstacles.

Once the elastomer, which holds the two parts of the stock damper together, slips or breaks, the damper is done for; becomes a paper weight. A cover can't help it.

The harmonics are absorbed by the elastomer and once the bonding between the inner and outer rings has been broken it can no longer effectively work. Not to mention that the outer ring will come flying off at high RPMs doing all sorts of carnage and/or injury.

Accurate ignition timing will become a thing of the past once the elastomer lets go and the outer ring slips.

Yes, an aftermaker damper is well worth it considering the safety issue, damage that can be caused and the engines performance.

They're relatively easy to change too.

Hope this helps.

Jake

 

Another thing with the aftermarket dampers, is some are made to handle high RPMs for extended periods of time. The ones with SFI certification are racing legal and are a good investment. Also with strokers, the crankshaft harmonics can increase so a larger and/or more efficient damper would be desired.

 

Thanks for the GOOD info and explanations!

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