Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

harmonic balancer bad?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 09:31 PM
  #1  
jjqllc's Avatar
jjqllc
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
harmonic balancer bad?

I have at idle up to maybe 1000 rpm an oscillating vibration that you can actually see. It's very slight but it's there. You can feel it when your sitting in the truck. Once you get above 1200 or so rpm's you can't tell anymore. I've never had a truck that did this so I figured I'd put it out there. But it's oscillating, not constant. Like every 2 seconds or so it comes around. Just curious if anyone ever had this and if so is it harmonic balancer related. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 10:43 PM
  #2  
lonewolf_'s Avatar
lonewolf_
Scope Wizard
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,530
Likes: 25
I've had surging before and it was fixed by adjusting the droop in the IP
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 11:01 PM
  #3  
lonewolf_'s Avatar
lonewolf_
Scope Wizard
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,530
Likes: 25
while having the wrong Flywheel and balancer can cause issues you will probably not know the difference.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 12:02 AM
  #4  
DarkOverCast's Avatar
DarkOverCast
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
My 85 had a shake like that, I was fairly certain it was injectors, but I rebuilt a different engine for it and used the same ip and rebuilt the injectors and the shake didn't transfer...used the same harmonic balancer (couple years old) and the same flywheel and clutch (three years old and like new)

 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 01:58 PM
  #5  
jjqllc's Avatar
jjqllc
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Lonewolf, it doesn't surge. The idle stays the same but the vibration comes in 2 second waves. I don't know the history of the truck so who knows what flywheel I have . Most likely stock original.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 02:41 PM
  #6  
DarkOverCast's Avatar
DarkOverCast
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by jjqllc
Lonewolf, it doesn't surge. The idle stays the same but the vibration comes in 2 second waves. I don't know the history of the truck so who knows what flywheel I have . Most likely stock original.
That's what mine did, you couldn't see it in the tach, or the tail pipe, it just vibrated off off on off off on off off on. It was weird how it came and went consistently. You could really feel it if I put my hand on the gearshift
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 03:38 PM
  #7  
jjqllc's Avatar
jjqllc
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Yep. Kind of annoying, but not enough to tear into the motor. Wouldn't know what to look for.
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Nov 26, 2020 | 06:15 PM
  #8  
DarkOverCast's Avatar
DarkOverCast
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by jjqllc
Yep. Kind of annoying, but not enough to tear into the motor. Wouldn't know what to look for.
That was my reaction too, I just lived with it.

Does the motor change tone when it misses?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 06:31 PM
  #9  
lonewolf_'s Avatar
lonewolf_
Scope Wizard
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,530
Likes: 25
weird..I guess a dual mass flywheel can cause vibration before you would get the classic thudding or clunking
easy enough to check the Harmonic balancer visually.

you might be able to track down the vibration with a Strobe light.

sorry I thought at first it was a Surge.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 06:49 PM
  #10  
jjqllc's Avatar
jjqllc
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
It doesn't miss or anything. It runs and sounds great. Was feeling pretty good about it all. Went out today and I just had a feeling to check the driver's side valve train. That's where I found a broken head bolt in January. Pulled the valve cover and found another broken head bolt. Cylinder 6 at the exhaust pushrod. Almost right in the middle of the head. I guess they have been stretched being torqued so many times. Going to pick up a leakdown tester Lonewolf. Going to check the cylinders, And being that it looks like I need head bolts, I might as well do studs. While I'm at it, head gaskets. Honestly I'm starting to get tired of tearing this down and putting it back together stuff.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 08:43 PM
  #11  
DarkOverCast's Avatar
DarkOverCast
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by jjqllc
Honestly I'm starting to get tired of tearing this down and putting it back together stuff.
I hear ya on that, lately I've been trying to overkill everything so I don't have to...

Sorry to hear the bad luck, call arp for the stud part number for a single stud, a nut, and a washer, then check distributors/dealers and find a good price. Just tell arp you just need a couple that stretched on you so they don't try and just give you the set number. That's what I did. My studs were bigger than yours yet cheaper....

I would highly recommend Allen Bailey with Allen's fasteners, he gave me a song of a deal on my 9/16" stuff. Ordered two extra of everything just incase and it was $495 shipped!

If he doesn't stock it all, he also will ship you what he has, them send the rest when he gets it in a few more days for no extra charge. That way you can at least get started.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 09:03 PM
  #12  
jjqllc's Avatar
jjqllc
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
I found a site that's selling them for around $250. I'll check out Allen's. Fel Pro gaskets are the way to go also? I'm hoping I find what's causing me to burn some oil on steep hills. Just got the fuel dialed in. If the truck was a Lariat, I wouldn't mind the extra work, but it's an XL, doesn't even have air.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 09:48 PM
  #13  
DarkOverCast's Avatar
DarkOverCast
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by jjqllc
I found a site that's selling them for around $250. I'll check out Allen's. Fel Pro gaskets are the way to go also? I'm hoping I find what's causing me to burn some oil on steep hills. Just got the fuel dialed in. If the truck was a Lariat, I wouldn't mind the extra work, but it's an XL, doesn't even have air.
I guess I just assumed you were 7.3, if 6.9 $250ish is the normal rate. Ar6.120-1lb is your stud number. Can probably dig up the nut and washer numbers too.

Justin (R&D) told me all the gaskets are equal, and he also uses 7.3 gaskets on everything.

Are you turbo?
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2020 | 08:13 AM
  #14  
jjqllc's Avatar
jjqllc
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
No turbo, but it would be nice. Lol. I thought the 6.9 gaskets hat the cutouts for the coolant passages that the 7.3 doesn't. This truck warms up fast and has great heat.
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2020 | 12:39 PM
  #15  
DarkOverCast's Avatar
DarkOverCast
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
Apparently they ditched that grommet area because it makes them too weak. He says it won't make it run any hotter if you use the 7.3 gaskets.

Until my truck gets done I won't know either but it seemed to run just fine temp wise the little bit I drove it.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:48 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE