Opinions on Harmonic Balancers...

[eliteJAE]

I need replace the harmonic balancer on my 99 GT, and im finding it very hard to find a replacement for some reason. Anyone have any experience with the Professional Products aftermarket piece? I'm guessing underdrive kits also have this piece, but i dont like the idea of my accessories driving 25% lower in the Arizona heat lol

ideally, id like to find an OEM replacement but for some reason i cant find one?

 

[blubullett]

Did you really look? There are tons in junk yards all over the place. Any 4.6 2v will work. Check Crown Vics or trucks. Ebay has them too. Type in 97 mustang harmonic ballencer and tons show up.

 

[eliteJAE]

So I can use pre-99 balancers? Everywhere I looked they were in different categories.

 

[blubullett]

My friend just put a 01 on his 96 and it hasn't caused any problems. Look on ebay. They have 11 1997 balencers.

 

[eliteJAE]

good to know, i wonder if it's fine the other way around though.

I try not to cut corners on replacing parts on my car, because im taking it to cali this year where i wont have any workspace to repair it if a used part should fail.

However, i think $220 that the dealership here quoted me for a replacement piece is obscene, that's why im looking at the professional products one which is made of nodualr iron and not rubber, just wondering if anyone had any experience with this piece

 

[lazerred02]

good to know, i wonder if it's fine the other way around though.

I try not to cut corners on replacing parts on my car, because im taking it to cali this year where i wont have any workspace to repair it if a used part should fail.

However, i think $220 that the dealership here quoted me for a replacement piece is obscene, that's why im looking at the professional products one which is made of nodualr iron and not rubber, just wondering if anyone had any experience with this piece

I put a Professional Products Harmonic Balancer on a 350 in a 76 Corvette at work a few weeks back, seemed to be made really nice....I am sure the one for a 4.6 is built just as nice.

 

[eliteJAE]

I put a Professional Products Harmonic Balancer on a 350 in a 76 Corvette at work a few weeks back, seemed to be made really nice....I am sure the one for a 4.6 is built just as nice.

good to hear, i often hear PP plenums and stuff aren't that great, i just want the balancer to be on par, if not better than the OEM piece lol

guess im going to have to spring for the PP piece then, im confused why there is models that have the timing marks and some that dont for the same year, the ones with timing marks don't seem to have ribs for a belt?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I would suggest a stock replacement from the parts counter. Especially if you are struggling with selecting the correct part. The parts counter guy will help you make sure you get the right part and that alone is worth the extra money.

Also, a lot of people run into issues swapping harmonic balancer. Be sure you know what you are doing when you do the work.

Why do you even need to replace it anyways?

 

[Flghtmstr1]

I have a stock one sitting in my basement. PM me if you want it.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I paid $90 Canadian at the local dealership for the stock 8-Rib 5.4L dampner about 3-years ago. I can't see them wanting $220US for one now?

If you're going to go aftermarket, either go with a set of Steeda U/D pulleys, or if you don't like the idea of underdriving your accesories, spend the money on an Innovators West, or ATS pulley. No sense getting cheap on such a component so vital.

 

[eliteJAE]

This one I'm having my mechanic do, and the only reason I'm replacing it is because te stock one is starting to split and there's a vibration all over the rpms which my mechanic has identified as being the balancer beginning to fail :/

Flghtmstr1 I'll send you a PM for more details, thanks

and yea, sadly the dealership wants $220 US for a replacement, probably because it's a 99 and because it's special order :/ I've been looking all over for these things I have yet to see an innovators west or ATS pulley for 99, any idea where i could find em??

 

[lazerred02]

good to hear, i often hear PP plenums and stuff aren't that great, i just want the balancer to be on par, if not better than the OEM piece lol

guess im going to have to spring for the PP piece then, im confused why there is models that have the timing marks and some that dont for the same year, the ones with timing marks don't seem to have ribs for a belt?

Yeah the one that we put on the Corvette the customer brought to us when we were rebuilding his motor and told him that we would have to get a new balancer. When he gave it to me and I saw the Professional Products box I was very skeptical because of the low quality issues you hear about with the plenums and throttles bodies but it turned out to be a very solid balancer.