Anyone know where to get the tool to press a harmonic balancer on for a reasonable price? Or maybe another component friendly way to get it done, perhapse? I saw one for like 40 some odd dollars plus s/h but thats alot for a tool that ill probably only use once.

 

Hey do a search ,Vader, gives a list all you need I believe is a #5 or harder bolt same size as the one in it...Put a nut on it with some washers..bingo bango the nut and washer draws it in..or you could borrow one from autozone...

 

Yeah, the only "tool" you need is a 7/16"-20threads/in bolt that's just a bit longer than the crankshaft pulley bolt (2.5", maybe 3" long should do it). You can just use the thick washer that goes on that crankshaft pulley bolt and wrench it in there... good luck (I had the same problem just last week).

 

many thanx... i looked for teh bolt and nut earlier but to no sucess. Now that i know what size it is, ill go out to the hardware store and see if i can find it.

 

NNOOOOOOOOO..............
Don't just get a bolt from the hardware store. You will want to use a Grade 8 bolt, or in a pinch, a grade 5. Grade 8's are about the strongest hardware you can readily get your hands on. You don't want to risk breaking a cheap bolt off in the crank snout.

I also reccomend getting a new balancer bolt. I like the stuff from ARP. I have heard that many of the factory fasteners are 'torque to yeild' which means that if you try to reuse them more than once, they'l break.

When I did my balancer, I used a Grade 8 I got from the local parts place. (no one has the tools for rent)

 

is it hard to install a harmonic balancer? i may be getting a 350 shortblock this summer and i was wondering if its to terribly hard to install one seems like it would be hard since you could mess up the timing very bad i dont know

 

Can't mes up timing, the balancer is keyed to the crank snout, it can only go on one way.

~M~

 

I think I paid like $16.00 for my installer/remover at autozone...Ive loaned it out about 3 times since.....have your friends pitch in, if you mess around much with motors, money well spent.

 

ooooo ok seems easy enough then i wasnt sure exactly how hard it would be. Sounds pretty simple. i may just buy the l98 shortblock and build it up with vortec heads/intake

 

cake... went on in like 1 minute. Only cost about $.89 dollars for the bolt and nut at the local hw store. Have it for the future too if i need it again

 

Personally, I use my $15 installer, which came with an assortment of snout threads and a spacer to keep from galling the balancer.

Got it a few years ago, can't remember if it was Harbor Freight or JC Whitney, but I've used it several times.

 

7/16-20 x 5" threaded rod: 80¢

7/16-20 grade 5 nuts: 15¢

7/16" or 1/2" hardened flat washers: 35¢

Not forking up your crankshaft snout: Priceless