When to replace harmonic balancer
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
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From: Pittsburgh
When to replace harmonic balancer
So I'm in the middle of a project that included replacing the water pump. At this point I'm only a few bolts away from opening the timing cover and I think I am going to replace my timing set while I'm in this deep. Thus far I haven't experienced any problems though.
While doing this stuff, I have to pull the harmonic balancer which as we all know is partially rubber. The truck is about to be 37 years old and rubber doesn't last that long. I'm leaning towards replacing the balancer with new even though I haven't experienced any problems. Thoughts?
1979 351M manual trans no A/C
While doing this stuff, I have to pull the harmonic balancer which as we all know is partially rubber. The truck is about to be 37 years old and rubber doesn't last that long. I'm leaning towards replacing the balancer with new even though I haven't experienced any problems. Thoughts?
1979 351M manual trans no A/C
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
If it's running fine, I wouldn't replace it. However, I would put some alignment/indexing marks so in the future it can be determined whether it has started to slip.
If you're adamant about replacing it then go for it.
If you're adamant about replacing it then go for it.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Good idea about the indexing marks. I'm not adamant about replacing it, and I don't have to tear everything apart to replace it later if I ever need to. I just figured I'm a maniac about replacing all my rubber lines and hoses and the balancer utilizes rubber that's just as old as everything else, so I thought I'd ask.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Harmonic balancer: At the factory a rubber gasket is placed between the outer pulley and inner damper, then the three parts are pressed together forming a one piece assembly.
Over time, the rubber gasket age cracks/shrinks, causing the outer pulley to "walk away" from the inner damper.
If not noticed, the outer pulley will fly off, taking assorted belts along with it, could end up in the radiator core. Not pleasant!
Over time, the rubber gasket age cracks/shrinks, causing the outer pulley to "walk away" from the inner damper.
If not noticed, the outer pulley will fly off, taking assorted belts along with it, could end up in the radiator core. Not pleasant!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
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I am personally aware of several instances of these coming apart on older (1950-1960) vehicles. As Bill suggests...the damage that can be done! For the expense of a new one, I would rather be safe, which is what I chose to do. It's like replacing a timing belt. It probably won't break, but if it does.....New balancers are about the same price of a rebuild.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
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From: Pittsburgh
I ended up buying a new one. Even after lots of scraping at the factory one i could barely read the timing marks. It's almost 38 years old, it was time to go. It was the most expensive part of this project except the radiator, but $88 sounded better than the mass chaos of it flying off as described. Thanks guys.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 8
From: York, Pa
I think you made the right choice. Tearing my 460 down I noticed the rubber looked funny so naturally I had to play with it. Well it didn't take much the outer ring came off so It was time. I had bought a Powerbond for my 445 and it seems nice so might try another one.
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