Update:
I got the basic balancer assembled tonight. I have not installed it on an engine yet, but preliminary measurements look promising. Here's what I'm doing:
The balancer I am using is a new 6" diameter "Engine Pro" item available from several merchandisers on the internet. Mine came from an Ebay vendor:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_022.JPGhttp://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_023.JPGhttp://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_002.JPGThe hub dimensions are identical to an old 216 balancer I had handy, inner and outer diameter and depth- - - -it should be a direct swap for a 216, 235, or 261 balancer. Its intended application is for a 283, 307, or early 327 V-8.
Now, here's the sneaky trick- - - -V8 balancers don't have pulley grooves- - -the pulley is supposed to bolt on ahead of the balancer ring. Let's find a 2-groove pulley for a big block V8- - -396/427/454, etc. Turn the pulley backwards, after grinding off two small projections intended to align a second pulley, like so:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_012.JPGhttp://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_013.JPGThe balancer hub projects above the balance ring by about 1/8", so the inverted pulley lets it dampen vibrations without any interference from the pulley.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_011.JPGhttp://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_014.JPGI use 3/8-24 tapered-head Allen screws to exactly align the pulley with the puller holes in the balancer hub:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_016.JPGThe finished product compared to the 216 balancer- - - -the pulley grooves are almost exactly in alignment. A little shimming of the water pump pulley and/or generator or alternator mountings might be necessary for perfect belt alignment.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/stovebolt_balancer_0191.JPGTotal cost for the balancer, pulley, and bolts, all brand new, including shipping, was about $90.00!
Jerry
