I installed a Fluidampr (got it from BWD) a couple weeks ago and finally got a chance to see how it drove this last weekend. I must say, I'm impressed. Vibrations are definately smoothed out. I don't notice as much at idle, but I did notice the engine seems a lot smoother on the highway and while accelerating. I imagine the stock balancer was getting worn out anyway, with 160K on it. Fluidampr claims that adding one will give a small boost in power. I don't know that I noticed any, but the truck sure seems to be running well.

Install was pretty straight forward...almost. I've had several people say the radiator needs to be pulled. Well, I left mine in place and felt like I had plenty of room to work. It's tight, but not worth removing the radiator, IMO. Stock balancer came right off, using a KD puller bought at NAPA. I pulled the flywheel cover off, and had a friend hold a prybar in the teeth of the flywheel against the trans case to keep the engine from turning when I loosened and tightened the bolt.

Here's where the snag came. I didn't have an install tool, just the stock bolt. The stock bolt is not long enough to get the threads started with the thick stock washer in place. The ideal thing would be to either have an install tool or to take the stock bolt, head to the hardware store, and get a longer bolt. But, we were working late, didn't have an installer, stores were closed, and we needed the truck running the next day. So we had to improvise, by using a thinner washer in place of the thick stock one to get the Fluidampr started. Once it was on enough, the stock bolt went on just fine. About the only other hard part was tightening the bolt down....to 212 lb-ft. That took quite a pull.

I replaced my oil pump too (with a Melling), which wouldn't be a bad idea if you're in that deep. They're only about $70 IIRC. At the very least, replace the oil seal on the stock pump housing. Also, the Fluidampr does not require a wear ring like the stock one has. I had one on hand, because I did not know this. It wouldn't fit even if you wanted to put one on. But, Fluidampr claims it's damper doesn't need one and it's designed to last over 500K miles, I think plenty for most of us.

Overall, I'm pleased and install wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. Thought I would share with you guys. Oh, and no pics of the install. I forgot and left the camera at home.

 

did you take any pics?
what is the main benefit of this product?

 

it dampens the harmonic vibrations in the crankshaft and the rest of the engine. Every 45* revolution of the crankshaft, there is a power cycle happening, putting a high torsional load on the crankshaft. if you could have a video camera take film faster than life, you can see the crank actually speed up and slow down every time a cylinder fires. The Fluidampr is great at controlling this. I know i'm getting one eventually now, now that i have heard about how good it is.

 

Negative. I forgot the camera at home when we did the install. The truck's back out at the shop with the HPOP res off though and not at home. So, I'll try to get some pics of the installed damper this weekend though, when I'm working on the additional gauges.

 

How much was the Fluidampr? also, how much was the install tool?
Glad it worked well for ya

 

http://www.fluidampr.com/POWERSTROKE.htm

all these things for xmas, lol.

 

Sounds pretty slick Jeremy. I'll have to put it on my list if I ever have to get into the LPOP!

 

You'll have to call BWD for pricing. I had something a little different worked out. The puller was about $20. No idea how much an install tool might be, but Fluidampr does sell a puller/installer - it doesn't come with the adapter for a 7.3 in the kit, but if you ask them for it they would prob throw it in.