romac balancer install....how to...

[VIPERn94Five-0]

well since my balancer seems to have a wobble i will be picking up a Romac...now i just need to know whats involved with the removal of the old, and install of the balancer....what tools i need, procedure etc....

....also maybe while im down there i should remove my smog pump and get a new belt....so how does one remove the smog pump...and then what belt do i need with no smog???


Anthony

 

[xYoung347x]

go to autozone and rent a harmonic balancer puller, easy as chit! you dont have to take off the smog pump if you dont want just reroute the belt.

 

[VIPERn94Five-0]

go to autozone and rent a harmonic balancer puller, easy as chit! you dont have to take off the smog pump if you dont want just reroute the belt.

why just leave it there to clutter up the engine bay, and weigh more(even if it only is like 10lbs) bnut as a temporary fix i may just bypass it....


Anthony

 

[xYoung347x]

well in that case I THINK theres two bolt that you have to take out, I did it soooo long ago I don't even remember. Someone will chime in and good luck.

 

[HISSIN50]

a lot of guys like to bake the Romacs so that they slide on (interference fitting).

i like to use never seize on the hub after it is cleaned. some like to RTV the keyway.
there is other stuff, but im too tired to think.
good luck and enjoy.

 

[stangbanger94]

removal and installation of the balancer is fairly easy. I would suggest just getting a chiltons manual, as that will be the easiest way to understand the procedure. That was what I used the first time I ever removed a balancer, and it was 1-2-3. I would just go and buy a puller from like pep-boys, or any other auto parts store, and keep it. It is a very good tool to have, and it can be used for other various automotive related jobs. As for removing your smog pump, there are 2 bolts that hold it onto the bracket. Just remove those, and your pump will come out.(Don't forget to disconnect any air hoses hooked to the pump). As for the bracket for the pump, you have to leave that in because that is the same bracket that your alternator is bolted on to. As for your belt size, thats going to be a trial and error type procedure. I wish I could help you with the belt, but I don't run p/s in my car so I have a short,short, short belt. Good luck, and keep us posted

 

[1105]

Anthony... I would strongly suggest checking out the Pioneer balancers before you go out and buy a Romac... You'll probably save yourself about $100 buying the Pioneer over the Romac. I have the Pioneer on my car and it is very nicely built but do what you want

 

[swingline]

Anthony... I would strongly suggest checking out the Pioneer balancers before you go out and buy a Romac... You'll probably save yourself about $100 buying the Pioneer over the Romac. I have the Pioneer on my car and it is very nicely built but do what you want

My balancer has the rubber coming out so I need to replace mine too. Have you ever seen a Romac in person Zach? How does it compare to the Pioneer?

 

[wytstang]

I'm with 1105 there are other alternatives out there from what I hear/read on here the pioneers are just as good as the romac and half the price .

 

[1105]

I have not seen a Romac in person... Let me go get a pic of the back side of my Pioneer since my car is sitting on jack stands right now so everyone can see that Romac isnt the only good balancer out there...

 

[1105]

Not the best pictures but the only ones I could get since its still on my car...

 

[swingline]

Good looking piece Zach. I'll check into it.

 

[yellow1995Cobra]

I had a romac.. very tough mofo to get on. Since its so hard to slide on, and you need to use the harmonic balancer installer from the get go, i missed the damn keyway and junked a perfectly good romac. Moneypit got me a powerbond balancer for my new motor, and its just as nice looking as a romac, cheaper and slid right on. I even used the crankshaft bolt to pull it in.

I believe you may need to remove the radiator to get the puller/installer in there. Or atleast the fan will have to come out, thats how it is with mine.

Be careful if you get a romac, make sure the keyways are lined up.

 

[1105]

Radiator can stay, fan will have to come out. Use an impact (it'll barely fit in) on the nut to get that off.

 

[HISSIN50]

i would say to be very very careful if you use air on the crank bolt. you dont want to mess that up. i personally like putting the car in 5th and breaking it loose. it comes right out - and if you have doubts, hit it with some PB the night before.

as said, the romacs are tight - if you dont use an installer tool (which threads into the crank, and removes a lot of stress (if you only get a few threads into the crank and then have to reef at 100+ ft/lbs to get the balancer to slide on, that could be horrible).

some guys even put a breaker on the crank bolt (for removal) and bump the starter. the breaker hits the ground and breaks the bolt loose. i dont have nearly the guts to do that. i eat wheaties and use them. but then i cant get under the dash for love or money.

as for which to use, i dont know much about the SFI pioneers, but the non SFI units are well liked - amongst the best non sfi units out there. i would run one of those (i drive like your grandma). i dont recall one bad thing about the Romac though, and for the price, i better not have.
my two cents worth.
good luck.

 

[GTPhreak]

I run a Powerbond Race balancer...this is more commonly known as the "Pioneer SFI" balancer. pioneer just reboxes the powerbond and sells it under their name. very nice high quality piece, i paid only 145 for mine (until they decided to make them more haha, it got around that they were great balancers for a good price

 

[VIPERn94Five-0]

well im getting a good deal on the Romac so thats the way im gonna go....


Anthony

 

[HISSIN50]

well im getting a good deal on the Romac so thats the way im gonna go....


Anthony

the main gripe with the romacs is the price, so if you got a good price, SWEET and enjoy!

 

[VIPERn94Five-0]

so basically just follow the instructions in say the haynes manual for removal and installation of a balancer??....and as far as the Romac goes....get a balancer puller and heat it up in the oven to expand it???....is that it?? or did someone mention a special installation tool as well???



Anthony

 

[yellow1995Cobra]

so basically just follow the instructions in say the haynes manual for removal and installation of a balancer??....and as far as the Romac goes....get a balancer puller and heat it up in the oven to expand it???....is that it?? or did someone mention a special installation tool as well???



Anthony

Yes you will need a harmonic balancer installer as well.