Need a harmonic balancer installer tool? Hit Advance Auto for free!

[Mfr426]

I just had a stroke of luck this AM. I've been looking for 3/4" fine threaded rod to make my own harmonic balancer install tool but can not source it locally. I happen to be in Advance Auto this AM and the guy mentioned he has a kit to remove AND install the balancer. I figured they had a remover but not an installer as well? If I buy the kit today I can use it for 45 days and then return it. Apparently this is part of their loaner program. I bought it ($95.00) and will return tomorrow. Not bad at all. I now have my neighbor (who works at a fastener company) trying to source me the rod so I can make make one for future engine work. At least I can now move on with my engine work on this long holiday weekend!!

Just thought I'd pass this along...

[62 Max]

i assume you know you can install the balancer with the original bolt.

[terrible one]

i assume you know you can install the balancer with the original bolt.

That's what I was about to ask about. All this time I was just planning on sliding the damper halfway or however far it goes on it's own and then just torquing it . . . that'll work, right?

[471_Magnum]

i assume you know you can install the balancer with the original bolt.

You can, and I've done it before but that's not the proper way. Torquing it on puts a lot of stress on the threads and the bolt.

[FLG]

Ive also done it this way too 

[Mfr426]

Yep, with the worn original balancer using the factory bolt to install was no problem. However, I had a new balancer and a brand new crank and it was VERY tight from the very start. I could not get the bolt in to start and didn't want to use a hammer on a crank so this tool made it quite easy. 

[firefighter3931]

A balancer installation toll is a good investment. I made my own with a piece of threaded rod and a large washer & nut...works flawlessly. 


Ron

[Charger-Bodie]

A balancer installation toll is a good investment. I made my own with a piece of threaded rod and a large washer & nut...works flawlessly. 


Ron

And its way better than the beat it on method some people use. 

[62 Max]

A balancer installation toll is a good investment. I made my own with a piece of threaded rod and a large washer & nut...works flawlessly. 


Ron

Ron,correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't having an extra crankshaft bolt and washer be the same thing?

[471_Magnum]

When you drive it on with the crankshaft bolt, you don't have many threads engaged initially.

Using the installation tool, or threaded rod, you have full thread engagement the whole time. It's pretty much impossible to strip anything that way.

[62 Max]

When you drive it on with the crankshaft bolt, you don't have many threads engaged initially.

Using the installation tool, or threaded rod, you have full thread engagement the whole time. It's pretty much impossible to strip anything that way.

Depends on the bolt.

[firefighter3931]

A balancer installation toll is a good investment. I made my own with a piece of threaded rod and a large washer & nut...works flawlessly. 


Ron

Ron,correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't having an extra crankshaft bolt and washer be the same thing?

Max, the idea is to place the load on the installation tool....not on the internal threads of the crankshaft. Basicly you thread the rod inside (the crank) and use the threads on the rod (or special tool) to push the balancer in place. The threaded rod bears all the load. 

It's the same idea as using head studs as opposed to head bolts. With headbolts the clamping force is transferred to the deck of the block when torquing the heads. With studs, the load is transferred to the stud and nut.


Fwiw, i banged a few on in my earlier days with a deadblow then realized how much stress i was placing on the thrust bearing.





Ron

[rav440]

A balancer installation toll is a good investment. I made my own with a piece of threaded rod and a large washer & nut...works flawlessly. 


Ron

Ron,correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't having an extra crankshaft bolt and washer be the same thing?

Max, the idea is to place the load on the installation tool....not on the internal threads of the crankshaft. Basicly you thread the rod inside (the crank) and use the threads on the rod (or special tool) to push the balancer in place. The threaded rod bears all the load. 

It's the same idea as using head studs as opposed to head bolts. With headbolts the clamping force is transferred to the deck of the block when torquing the heads. With studs, the load is transferred to the stud and nut.


Fwiw, i banged a few on in my earlier days with a deadblow then realized how much stress i was placing on the thrust bearing.





Ron

well i guess that answers my question about using a BFH .