Harmonic balancer.

[proxses]

I think my balancer is gone. It's 15 years old, so no surprise there. I get a vibration most of the time at around 2300 rpm's, neutral or in gear. So it must be the balancer. The vibration is slight to heavy. It varies day to day, which puzzles me. I think the balancer is slipping. No idea. Also, my timing when I checked was slightly different from last time I checked it. Again, more signs it is dead.
My question is, has anyone used the performance balancer from 50resto.com?
It says there is a spacer included for pulley alignment. Also, do I need the counterweight kit, or is that just for 28oz imbalance motors?
Suggestions?
I'm not looking for an SFI balancer. This truck is for street driving. I don't want to sink that much money in a balancer, when there are better go fast parts to get.
Thanks

 

[90mustangGT]

If your balancer is shot, replace it. I think the SFI units are worth it, but I guess not nessasarry. Your motor needs the 50oz inbalance, the 28oz units are for 351's, 331's ect.

 

[eric88gt]

I would pull the serpentine belt and start it up and see if the vibration is still there. I recently had identical symptoms, pulled the belt, started it up, no vibration. The bearing was gone in the water pump and causing an intermintent vibration up around 2000 rpms. If it still vibrates with the belt off, it's probably the balancer.

 

[HISSIN50]

you can also put a line down the balancer, so it goes across the inner and outer ring. if it does not stay lined up, the outer ring is slipping (hence timing marks being off).

i know 90MustangGT and i have both created and read damper threads. i was lookin at the same unit from LRS (P.P. non-SFI iron street unit for about 80 bucks). i called a couple weeks ago and they were on backorder. i had PM'd two folks from in here that had used the same damper (saw in threads that they had them), and both gave the PP Street balancer great reviews.

i know 90MustangGt loves his Romac, as about everyone else whom owns one does. but i understand that if you dont rev or race much, SFI is kinda overkill - personal choice. dont forget that some of the units sold elsewhere require spacers - places want an arm and a leg for them. or they are generic units with 8 timing strips on them. i dont like that personally. (the LRS units are not included in this, as far as i know. simple bolt up affair from what i saw).

also i know Michael Yount was able to get a Pioneer non SFI unit at the parts store for a decent deal. places here wanted an arm and a leg for the same Pioneer or else i might have gone that route.
happy hunting. call on them, as my first choice was on backorder, then the second choice was also on backorder.

 

[proxses]

My local parts store sells the Pioneer brand. Do you suggest I go with that?
I just busted the drivetrain on the truck. So it will be down for a week while I order new parts. So now I'm in no rush.

 

[HISSIN50]

if you are asking me, it really depends upon how much it is etc. i have seen them (Pioneer non SFI) for about 70 bucks, unshipped.
i really dont know a lot about Pioneer, but i really trust anything Michael Yount does. for that matter, as i recall, Jrichker runs a parts store generic unit. but Pioneer is a good brand from what i know. i might go that route over the PP units, but that is just a gut thing. my take: you cant go too wrong with either unit.
good luck.

 

[proxses]

I don't remember how much it was. But it was under $100.
I think I might go that way once I get one. I currently have other broken parts to deal with.
Thanks!

 

[HISSIN50]

sounds like a good plan!
good luck with the install (i recommend the use an install tool - no biggie since you have to rent a puller anyhow).

 

[TheRedBlur]

SFI balancers are good even if you don't race. by better controlling harmonic vibrations, the crank bearing life is extended, along with all other moving parts connected to the crank in some way. SFI are better because they are balanced at higher rpm's, meaning that they have to be more exact,=better control.

 

[Michael Yount]

As Hissin' said I just went to my local auto parts place and bought the replacement balancer for the car. AutoZone will give you a puller for a refundable deposit. I've never used an install tool - just clean the crank snout and the new balancer well, lube both snout and balancer with a bit of never seize, and slide it on as far as you can - be sure the keyway engages. Then I use the washer/bolt to tighten it down. 70-90 ft-lbs.

 

[92Patrol5.0]

I just put the balancer you're referring to from 5.0resto on a couple weeks ago. I got the one for 80 bucks. It's a nice looking piece and seems to do the job well. Yes there is a spacer for it, however, the spacer is included at no extra charge. I have seen this same balancer advertised for the same price of 80 bucks, but you also have to buy the spacer for it. So, it's a good deal from 5.0resto. I ordered mine online and it was shipped here withing 3 days I believe. The spacer has 2 screws that screws it onto the balancer. So I just put some thread locker on the screws and tightened them down as tight as I could get them. The big retaining bolt for the balancer will help hold the spacer on anyway so. But yeah, the balancer is a good piece. If you get it, I would order it from 5.0resto. The install tool isn't really necessary. I just pushed the balancer on as far as it would go, gave it a few taps on the spacer with a rubber mallet, and it went on far enough to get the retaining bolt started. Then just tighten that bolt down and it pulls the balancer on with it. Also, don't forget to put some black silicone sealer in the keyway of the balancer. If you don't put lube there to seal it up, you'll probably have an oil leak there.

 

[trbkrb]

I just put on a Ford Motorsports stock style balancer I got from my local dealer, Tommie Vaughn Ford. It was only about $75 list, but I got it cheaper with my discount. A few friends have had problems with the parts store ones failing early (after 1-2 years), so I wanted to go with Ford parts. My original one lasted over 200,000 miles.

Good luck on whatever one you get.

 

[Michael Yount]

Did you take a close look at the balancer? Ford/Ford Racing actually manufacturers virtually none of their product line. Most products are made for them - they're a marketer. The balancer you got, especially at that price, may not actually be a Ford part even though Ford Racing sells it.

 

[ECU5.0]

sounds like a lot of people are having problems with there balancer...including me. it its vibrating the car but i noticed it wobbling a little bit maybe 1/4 of an inch to 1/2 inch front to back. probably getting a new one soon. what is involved in replacing this. just taking of the fan and serp belt and pulley? or do i have to take the fan shroud out and all that crap?

 

[HISSIN50]

im glad to hear that others have had better luck than i did with the install. my new balancer fit about as well as a Romac does. i was lucky to slide it onto the crank snout even 1/16 of an inch. super tight fit. so i did need the install tool; the crank bolt would not have been nearly long enough. and since tool rental is needed, i figured it to be a good idea to get an installer too. perhaps i should amend the thinking to say that one should get an install tool in case it is needed.

the 'ford' balancers are thought of about as well as the parts store units (what i gathered from readin about 100 threads on them). and when i said parts store varieties, i was ONLY talkin about balancers made by some company you have never heard of, costing under 40 bucks. Pioneer is an excellent brand from what i have read, and had i been able to get one within a reasonable cost wise, i would have.

ECU replace that thing if it wobbles. i did mine without removing anything ancillary. 4 pulley bolts, crank bolt, and take it off. serp belt does come off, but that was it.
my old balancer looked like someone hit one half of the outer ring with a mallet. it overhung the inner ring up top, and was recessed inside the inner ring on the other. this was all very slight, BTW. it looked great while on the car.
good luck to all.

 

[ECU5.0]

thanks man, guess i have to shell out some more cash for that

 

[Michael Yount]

Hissin's gotcha covered. My configuration is different - I have to remove the radiator to have enough room to work - I don't think you'll have to. Autozone will loan you a puller FOR FREE (refundable deposit); I bought a puller from my local Ford dealer's "any tool for $8.88 table" -- don't rent one unless there's no other alternative.

 

[HISSIN50]

Michael, you make me feel like im in English 101 and you are the Professor. LOL. yes, when i typed renting, i did mean loaning. to a newbie searching threads, i can see where i might have just increased the local rent-a-tool's biz. good call and thanks! my brain must be crosswired.

 

[Michael Yount]

You may not be as far off as you think - I'm sure we've folks in the way-out-yonder on the threads that can't just run to AutoZone. I just figured that's who you were talkin' to. He should be ok in G'ville, NC.

 

[ECU5.0]

thanks guys, where can i get a pioneer balancer. i called the ford dealership by my house in greenville and they wanted 125 bucks for an oem harmonic balancer. i might just end up ordering the one from 5.0resto. but im going home this weekend and really wanted to get it done.