Hi All. Relatively new here and this site has helped out a ton. I have 4 Fords and when i get stuck I have always come here so i finally signed up. Still learning the ropes of the site though. I tried posting a pick with this post using the tutorial i found so i hope it worked.

I was under my 1987 F350 with a 460ci engine changing the oil the other day and i was taking a look around and saw what is posted above. I am not sure if that is the balancer or a bearing of some kind, but where seems to be material pushing out and breaking off. Any and all help is appreciated. Sorry for the lack of knowledge in describing my problem. That is why i thought a picure was best. Thanks in advance.

 

It looks to me like the harmonic balancer needs to be replaced.

 

Yep, thats the harmonic balancer coming apart.

 

+1, the material you see coming out is the rubber insert inside the harmonic balancer. It's basically 2 metal rings, one inside the other with rubber in between.

 

the pulleys should unbolt and then you will need a puller made for that job to pull the ballancer of . not a real hard job but if left may fly apart .

 

Thanks to everything that chimed in. I pretty sure i can rent the puller from autozone. I am guessing there is a rebuild kit for the balancer or do i just need to buck up and buy a new one?? Anyone done the job themselves before??? I suppose i might have to remove the radiator or more to get the room needed to use the puller...... thanks again

 

Never heard of a rebuild kit, those parts are bonded together with the rubber when the balancer assembly is made. Just get a GOOD replacement and it should last as long as the factory one did.

Yeah you'd be wise to remove the radiator. Not only will it give you more room to work, but if it ain't in the truck then you don't have to worry about giving yourself an aftermarket radiator drain hole if the puller or wrench slips.

 

Thanks for the help and pointing me in the right direction with the balancer.Good point with the radiator too. That would make this little job far more expensive. Thats why this site is great... you guys give some hindsight to my foresight. Thanks again

 

You could pop a new front crank seal in while you have it off.

 

How do you insert that new seal? I was kind of a green horn when I took the balancer out, and even though I had a new seal I didn't replace it, what else did I need to do to change that seal?.

 

I believe the front seal is the same as the small blocks you have to remove the timing cover It installs from the inside.
As for the Balancer that is very common on the 460s. It will fly apart & then you have a big expense. Buy a new one most parts houses can get them.
Craig

 

This!

Be sure and do a search here on removing the harmonic balancer nut. I used the method of putting a socket on the nut attached to a 24" breaker bar. Close the hood, then turn your key on the ignition, then turn it back to off quickly. Loosened that nut easily for me! (Thanks to a suggestion from another poster on here!) Make sure your torque specs. are what they should be when replacing/ tightening. Make sure your timing indicator is put back in the right place.
If you do put a new seal then get something such as a very large socket or piece of pipe that is the same diameter and tap it in the the timing chain cover.
Do you need a new timing chain? Great time to replace it.

 

There is a huge difference in price on balancers on autozone. My plan is just to go with the stock replacement one....Dorman part # 594-080 for $70. The front crankshaft seal is $14. I suppose i need to buy packing grease..or does that come with the seal? If i have to pull off the timing cover, as was stated, then do i need a new timing cover seal too?? Thanks again to those who responded....

 

For $84 you can get an OEM Ford replacement from a sponsor of the site. Search the thread "Harmonic balancer", the info is there.

 

Thank for the tips. I am not sure if i need a new timing chain. What I know about timing chains is that they get replaced after so many miles (or ive been told that on some cars with metal chains you don't replace them at all unless you are doing a rebuild. Im not any kinda expert just what i was told and i take it all with a grain a salt). I bought this beast about a year ago for $700. It had 25000 miles on the 5 digit odometer. PO said they didn know how many times it rolled over. I am guessing it is at 125000. So if i get this all taken apart how do i inspect the chain to determine if i need a new one??? Thanks.