The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Crankshaft Vibration Damper Assembly

Alrighty then - time for another knucklehead question.

I'm installing the vibration dampener on the 283 that I've been wrasslin' with. I am, of course, using the United States Navy Approved BFH method. Don't worry though, the BFH is rubber so I'm really not inflicting as much damage as I would if I were using, say, a cruise missle.

Anyhow, how do I know when it's on all the way?

There is a groove around the circumference of the VD that I've been using for reference (comparing it to the edge of the OEM timing tab on the timing chain cover but being the virgin that I am, I'm not sure if that makes any sense.

Using the rubber BFH, I can't feel if it's bottomed out or not.

Does anybody have a visual reference that I can check, or some way that real mechanics can tell if the booger is all the way on?

THX.

You might try installing your water pump and pully and eyeballing the grooves.

On my 250, the balancer was flush with the end of the crankshaft. Joe

I don't know if you can get there with a rubber hammer. However your question is a good one. I would use a heavy metal hammer and maybe a block of wood.

Thanks for all the replies.

To Joe - I thought about that but there is no way on this booger that the crank end can come the full distance to the end of the dampener. I'd have to hammer the balancer about 1/3 of the way thru the timing chain cover! I wish I could remember what it looked like when I disassembled it so I'd have a reference point. Ahh well, live & learn.

truckernix - I'm going to give the real hammer & wood block a few taps to see if I can feel it bottom out. I'm still a bit haunted by an overhaul I did as a young lad where the result of my idiocy & inexperience brought the the vibration damener in rigorous and aggressive contact with a steel hammer - it sure went on a lot easier than this time but it sure came off in a lot of pieces too! Guess it made me gun shy.

cletis - it'll ultimately come down to eyeball calibration. I figure that I'll run the 500 mile break-in & inspect the belt. The wear should tell me something about the pulley alignment.

Ya know, I started this project in November - the first time I've been involved in recreational wrenching since the days of my hillbilly youth. I found Stovebolt in about January or so along with several other similar BBSs. This forum has been by far the most helpful and useful and has become my first stop - we'll, ah, OK, my first stop after the first aid kit to stop the bleeding!

Bravo Zulu! Thanks to all.

Keep the bubble.

They make a balancer install tool for the small block Chevys. Not much to it and shouldn't cost much. I would invest just for the piece of mind. I wouldn't beat on a crankshaft, there's thrust bearings that could be getting damaged,
Scott

Thanks, shipmate. I was aware of the tool but couldn't get one in the local parts stores & didn't want to wait to order one.

The rubber mallet took it all the way to its seat with no damage & I was able to verify it was seated with a light tap of a real hammer onto a facing wood block. I then bolted up the h2o pump w/the pulley installed & VIOLA - I've never figured out who that girl is & why we shout her name when something works - lined up perfectly.

I know in a prior post I said I was going to buy a new engine but I changed my mind & decided to rework this 283. I haven't regretted it yet, but don't worry, it's still early!