Opinions on Harmonic Balancers...

eliteJAE

Member

May 29, 2007

0

1

16

Stanford University

Aug 10, 2009

#1

• Aug 10, 2009

• #1

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?

 

B

blubullett

Member

Jun 22, 2006

535

6

18

Modesto, CA

Aug 10, 2009

#2

• Aug 10, 2009

• #2

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

Member

May 29, 2007

0

1

16

Stanford University

Aug 10, 2009

#3

• Aug 10, 2009

• #3

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

 

B

blubullett

Member

Jun 22, 2006

535

6

18

Modesto, CA

Aug 10, 2009

#4

• Aug 10, 2009

• #4

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

Member

May 29, 2007

0

1

16

Stanford University

Aug 10, 2009

#5

• Aug 10, 2009

• #5

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

New Member

Nov 19, 2004

190

1

0

FT Stewart, GA

Aug 10, 2009

#6

• Aug 10, 2009

• #6

eliteJAE said:

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

Click to expand...

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

Member

May 29, 2007

0

1

16

Stanford University

Aug 10, 2009

#7

• Aug 10, 2009

• #7

lazerred02 said:

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.

Click to expand...

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?

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

4,749

95

134

Aug 11, 2009

#8

• Aug 11, 2009

• #8

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

Member

Mar 31, 2005

572

4

19

Springfield, PA

Aug 11, 2009

#9

• Aug 11, 2009

• #9

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

 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash

20+ Year Stangneter

Aug 10, 2002

9,457

1,377

234

Ontario, Canada

Aug 11, 2009

#10

• Aug 11, 2009

• #10

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

Member

May 29, 2007

0

1

16

Stanford University

Aug 11, 2009

#11

• Aug 11, 2009

• #11

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

New Member

Nov 19, 2004

190

1

0

FT Stewart, GA

Aug 12, 2009

#12

• Aug 12, 2009

• #12

eliteJAE said:

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?

Click to expand...

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.