upgrading my harmonic balancer

69 Mach I · #1 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 07:54 AM

I have a 351W with the original iron harmonic balancer. I can upgrade to either a Streetdampr (fluid filled) or an aftermarket steel harmonic balancer from Jegs. The price is about the same. Any educated recommendations one way or the other.

sllib · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 07:24 PM

Mach I;
Summit just started selling Pioneer balancers. I had a Pioneer catalogue so I ordered the new zero balance high performance unit from them. I haven't installed it yet, but it looks good and only cost $150, compared with $400 for a Fluidampr (?) neutral balance unit.
Bill Stradtner

lovehamr · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 08:16 PM

Guys I'd be careful if I were you. The harmonic balancer is an integral part of your engine balance. In the case of a stock engine, swapping without a rebalance may have minimal impact on the longevity of your set up. That is assuming that you select a balancer with the correct counterweight. In the case of a modified, i.e. custom balanced engine, I'd be even more careful. Bill, I noticed in your signature block that you have a Dart/Windsor 427. Was that puppy internaly balanced? If so, I'd hate to see your machine shop bill with all that heavy metal on it. If it isn't internaly balanced then putting a zero balance unit will have some ugly consequences. Now if you guys have already considered all this then I respectfully withdraw all comments. It just seemed worth the words.
Steve

Mike Simard · #4 (**permalink**) 01-14-2005, 03:56 AM

I have a Dart Windsor 4" stroke that's internally balanced. Eagle sells cranks that are capable of not needing heavy metal, mine didn't. I sprung the $400 for the zero balance Fluidamper. I feel that it's important to have the best damper possible. Fluidamper does have a lower priced Streetdamper that has the counterweight (no zero balance). If I were in 69mach1's shoes I would get the streetdamper.
BTW, there are some really low priced basic dampers out there. It must be easy to take 2 metal rings and pour some rubber in them. I worry that there could be some that could come apart if not done properly. If you were to get a bonded type, it might be good to at least get a SFI approved one.

69 Mach I · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2005, 04:25 AM

Looks like it is going to be a summit. I had been laboriing under the false impression I had a 4 bolt pattern on my crank. Turns out I have a 3 bolt patter and there are no Fluidampr or Streetdamprs for my application with an external balance. Nor does Jegs. So we have a winner by default.