whats a good balancer??? need some advice

[HISSIN50]

I've been trying to figure out for years how a balancer can go bad, so how does it happen? Mine doesn't look balanced while the motor's running these days...is this how to tell, or is there something else?

Vibration at idle or while stationary is a sign. oem balancers have an inner and outer ring. the inner ring is keyed to the crank; the outer is attached to the inner via an elastomer (rubber).
if the elastomer cracks or loses structural integrity, the ability of the balancer to work at 100% is compromised. the outer ring can slip compared to the inner ring, so timing marks can be off, or it can slip so that it is like someone hit the front of the outer ring with a hammer (balancer looks like it oscillates).
people have had the two halves come completely apart. not cool!

 

[Rick 91GT]

I run a Innovators West all Alum piece with a steel blower hub, dual keys, etc.....

Even with the thick steel blower hub it is a very light piece.

www.innovatorswest.com

 

[Guyfoxbody]

I am having some work done this week @ Mustang Services in Woodstock GA. My balancer is wobbling and told them to replace it while it's there. I don't know which one he's using but it only costs $85.

I was going to do it myself, but they are dropping in some subframes and 3.73's.

 

[$uperstang]

I was told to go with a professional products and cost around $70 from SUper Engine builders in IL. They stated that would be ok, non SFI unless I was planning on going over 7000 RPMS

 

[D347643]

hey Rick how much you pay for your balancer, and whats the point of having more than 1 keyway?

 

[Rick 91GT]

$480+ but I have some options

The dual keys is for extra strength since the blower is putting a lot of stress on the crank and it will try to spin the balancer.

 

[gork1rogues]

The Summit Racing nodular iron non-sfi balancers are nice units. Removable counterweights not attatched to the dampening ring. Fit good, only complaint I have is the timing marks for the 5.0 are hidden by the water pump since it has 3 sets of marks on there, but even some of the higher up balancers have this problem as well. Comes with a spacer kit. Spins much straighter compared to the stock balancer I had on there.

 

[87GT 306]

Someone please help me out here. Should I get the Summit SFI approved dampner, or the Summit OEM Balancer? My car will be street and see the strip probably every other week.

P.S. The Summit SFI have 2 models:

SUM-B64269 ALL 289/302/351, 28.2 OZ. EXTERNAL BALANCE RACE
SUM-B64270 5.0L, 1982-UP, RACE

Whats the difference and whats the best one to get?

 

[Rick 91GT]

Unless you had the motor rebalanced to a 28oz then you need SUM-B64270 5.0L, 1982-UP, RACE which should be a 50oz balance, which is stock.

Don't skimp on the balancer it is very important.

 

[bobbys9350]

whats a good balancer to get for a stock internally wise 5.0? it has 111k miles.. thansk!

 

[Rick 91GT]

You need a 50ox balancer, the Pioneers are very nice and around $175, SFI approved as well. I like good balancers, and feel they are much better then the $85-100 stock replacement auto parts store special.

 

[bobbys9350]

you have a link to the pioneer i need? from oh say summit??? my b day is coming up, and theyre wondering what to get me... that sounds like a prime canidate

 

[HISSIN50]

and if lookin for something cheaper (for a stock application), people have had good luck with the PP units from LRS (includes spacer). i would have gone that route but they were backordered. and some like the Pioneers (non-SFI. 3021 IIRC) which some parts stores even carry. both are under 100 bucks. for some of us who seldom tach over 3K, parts like those work (Rick only makes about 5 times the power i do)

 

[302fordracer]

oem is alirte as long as you are NA...once you got induction you want something rated for more rpm...if you ever plan on adding induction I would go with something better

 

[Rick 91GT]

and if lookin for something cheaper (for a stock application), people have had good luck with the PP units from LRS (includes spacer). i would have gone that route but they were backordered. and some like the Pioneers (non-SFI. 3021 IIRC) which some parts stores even carry. both are under 100 bucks. for some of us who seldom tach over 3K, parts like those work (Rick only makes about 5 times the power i do)

Only 5 times, I need to work on that

I sell the Pioneers they were on backorder till the end of April, I haven't checked to see if they are off yet. I have a few on order...

 

[bluevenom867]

Hey,Rick,I sent you a PM.

 

[87GT 306]

so Rick, r u saying dont go with the summit sfi balancer?

 

[Rick 91GT]

You can buy the Summit $270 plus the spacer, but you can get a equal balancer much cheaper $175-$200. You could even get a alum outer ring Romac for $275 no spacer required, it will never rust and has a bice billet steel hub.

If your going to spend $270 get the alum ring Romac from FTI

 

[BlueRevenge]

I need to buy one too, been looking at the summit elastomer SFI approved dampners. Any good? and does this pioneer place have a site?

Bad juju with the summit piece. I had the same thing on mine for about a day. The adapter you have to run for your pullies sucks, mine wasnt perfectly aligned (not my fault, that's the way it was made) and it **** itself out about a block from my house the first time i drove it.