Another problem - Balancer fell off. Suggestions?

[GRGT1994]

So I jacked the car up for a look to try to find the source of a recent vibration that I picked up. And low and behold, the balancer is completely detached - riding back against the oil pan/front of motor.

How the hell would this happen? And how is that thing attached anyway?

Finally, how can I get it off? Hoping I don't have to tow it AGAIN. But it's fallen completely up against the motor.

Any suggestions for a good replacement balancer (without blowing a ridiculous amount of cash)?

 

[GRGT1994]

Maybe the balancer is actually broken. I'll post a pic up in a few minutes.

 

[CManT1914]

The balancer is held on by a big bolt and washer that threads into the crank. How the hell did yours fall off? I bought a new FRPP balancer, it seems pretty nice. A lot of guys also like PP balancers from 50resto. They're a lot cheaper than say a Romac or similar.

 

[WhiteDevil]

Mine did that once too. You can rent a harmonic balancer puller from most auto parts stores. I would go aftermarket i wish i would have. I just got another stocker and its already starting to go bad, its a little cockeyed in just a year and a half.

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

Sounds like the outer ring detached from the hub, which isnt uncommon.

Get a Romac!

 

[GRGT1994]

How much cash are we talking about here? For the Romac? I guess I shouldn't cheap out here, right?

 

[CManT1914]

I think they run $350 plus for the Romac's. Not sure though, so don't quote me on that.

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

You can get the cheaper steel/steel ones for under $200 on ebay.

The Superlight Alum/steel model is the pricey one at $280+.

 

[CManT1914]

You can get the cheaper steel/steel ones for under $200 on ebay.

The Superlight Alum/steel model is the pricey one at $280+.

lol, see? I WAS wrong, lol.

 

[GRGT1994]

Here are the pics. That sounds right, the outer ring looks like it detached.

Why now? I just got it back on the road!!! I guess I'll just have to stare at this pic for a little SURRENTIY NOW! (yesterday's sunset)

Hey, another followup question. When I install the new balancer, does it just bolt up? Do I need to align it with the pulley? The Haynes manual said you should mark the stock balancer and pulley, as they are balanced as a unit. Not the case with an after market one I guess.

 

[GRGT1994]

Any benefit/drawback to the lightweight one? I might just end up buying whatever I can get locally (summer's ending soon!!!)

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

Yea, yours is trash. Dont run that engine at all. The lightweight Romac has an aluminum outer ring and is about 1 pound lighter and like $100 more. It will make a little more rwhp but nothing major. Just go with the steel/steel if you can find one cheap.

The balancer only goes on so far. The crank is machined to allow it to fit properly. You dont have to worry about aligning or marking anything. Just make sure to get a 50 Oz one.

 

[GRGT1994]

Seriously, why did this happen now? Seems a little odd that it happened on the way home from the shop.

Was it just bound to go with all the mods I did recently (everything in sig)?

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

Seriously, why did this happen now? Seems a little odd that it happened on the way home from the shop.

Was it just bound to go with all the mods I did recently (everything in sig)?

Nah, just bad luck. Unless the engine has recently been seeing higher RPMs than it normally does and the old balancer couldn't take it.

 

[RIO5.0]

Seriously, why did this happen now? Seems a little odd that it happened on the way home from the shop.

Was it just bound to go with all the mods I did recently (everything in sig)?

Here's one I took off a bud's car....notice the rubber sticking out....you took the next step... They dry rot and lose their bond between the 2 rings...
With your mods on an old stock unit, it was onlt a matter of time...you lucked out actually...some guys have busted stuff up bad from a balancer taking a dump...

The balancer is located on a keyway with a woodfuff key to position it.. you'll need a puller to remove it...air gun will be nice to get that bolt out...15/16s I believe...

I scammed a new Romac for 185.00 in the Corral classifieds..check out the stocker, rubber hanging out of it..

 

[yellow1995Cobra]

The romacs are nice without a doubt. But you gotta bake them before u slide it on. And it still can be a PITA. I had a romac on my old 302, then a powerbond on my 418, the powerbond was real nice looking as well, and it slid right on no problem. And they are cheaper then romacs.

I also recomend getting a harmonic balancer installer when you rent the remover. You CAN just use the bolt in the crank to pull it on, but your always risking potentially striping the crank threads.

Only thing that needs to be aligned is the balancer itself. It has a key way on one side of the hub. You'll see when u pull it off. It only goes on one way..

 

[GRGT1994]

And please confirm that I'm looking for a 50 oz. balancer. I looked on Summit, and they list both 28.2 oz. and the 50 (though more of em are 28.2).

What other stuff goes out when the balancer gives up the ghost? Main bearings? Crank? Worse?

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

You need the 50 Oz. If you run the engine long enough with a bad balancer it can destroy the bottom end of the engine.

 

[Venom351R]

You can get the Romac's off Ebay for $220

 

[Green 94 5.0]

i picked up a steel/steel romac on ebay brand new for $110 shipped. i had the steel/aluminum model on my last stang and as was said already, the difference is about a pound for a whole lot more money. you do need the 50oz imbalance just to clarify. as far as the install goes, i stuck it in the oven at 425* for 10 minutes. while it was in the oven, i iced the nose of the crank. it slid on far enough to pull it on with the bolt the rest of the way.