Did you have to file the key? how much? Mine is really tight going on and does not slide on all the way.

 

I did not have to file the key. Mine was tight going on, I was really pulling on the the socket wrench, but it did go on fully. To cover the basics, you're sure that you have it lined up properly? How close is it to going on?

 

It goes about halfway on and get stopped. It is not quite close enough to get the bolt on to suck it in.

 

Believe it or not, that's normal on our engines. I had the same thing happen to me. Everyone I know of that has put a Fluidampr on a 7.3 has run into the same problem - the bolt is too short to get it started. The Fluidampr is thicker than the stock one in that particular spot.

The solution is to take your stock bolt and head to the hardware store. Find one of the same size and pitch, just a bit longer. I'd probably get one that's 1/2 to 1 inch longer. Use the longer bolt to get the Fluidampr started, and then when the stock bolt threads in enough to get a few good turns of the threads into the crank, use the stock bolt. Just be sure there are enough threads of the stock bolt in the crank, or you could snap the bolt off in the crank.

 

What is the purpose of installing one of these anyways? Does it go bad? I know they reduce vibration on the crank but isnt the stock one sufficient?

 

The stock one works, but the Fluidampr works better. I noticed a smoother running engine, especially on the highway. Also, the stock one uses rubber as its dampening material, which will wear out over time. My truck had approximately 160K on it when I replaced the stock one with a Fluidampr. I'm glad I did it.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Anyboldy notice a diference in anything after installing a fluidampr?

 

My engine runs smoother at all RPM's after the Fluidampr install. I notice the most while cruising on the highway, but it did smooth out my idle too.