The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Harmonic balancer removal

Hi all, im currently rebuilding a 235 for my 58 apache. I am having trouble trying to pull the harmonic balancer off, i tried using a puller but it din't have any luck. it shows no sign of being center pressed but there is no other way for it to be put on. my next thought is to use PB blaster and hope it budges, but i am afraid ill break something, any suggestions? thanks.

What kind of puller are you using? The right one is a crowfoot-shaped one that uses the two threaded holes in the center of the balancer, and the puller screw bears against the end of the crankshaft. If you use a jaw-type puller on the outside, you'll tear the outer ring off, or damage it to the point it will separate when the engine is run again. If you're using a heavy-duty harmonic balancer puller, tighten it very firmly, then smack the end of the puller center bolt with a BIG hammer. Once the shock breaks the balancer loose, it should come off pretty easily. It's probably on too tight for penetrating oil to do much good.

As a last resort, use a rosebud torch to heat the center hub of the balancer while the puller is tightened down. That usually ruins the balancer, but it will get it moving so you can do the rest of the engine teardown.
Jerry

If your balancer has hand crank lugs (don't know what year GM got away from them or even IF they got away from them) on it you're probably making the mistake of pushing against them. Put a 9/16" socket in the center of the lugs & push against that. If you've never pulled one it's not obvious what you should & shouldn't push against.

I found that smacking the end of the wrench with a hammer to emulate an impact wrench started the pulley moving. If you have an impact wrench, it will probably do the job for you.

All good advice. Use the proper gear puller, crank a 1/4 turn, strike it sharply and continue cranking a 1/4 turn and smack until free.

ok well ill have to make a trip to the store but I think all i have left to do now is put the advice into action. ill keep you updated, thanks for all the input!

Torque Wrench,

Here is a link to the 1954 Shop Manual , showing the type of puller to be used. As others have said, make sure that the center bolt of the puller seats on the end of the crankshaft snout, and does not get hung up on the pulley hub. As Drew and others say, tighten the center bolt, whack the bolt head, repeat. I've never seen it fail. I recently pulled a pulley from a 1954 261 that had sat outside since 1962.

Hoyt

my puller is like this one. I used my impact wrench and pulled mine off easily.Make sure you have it lined up straight and even.

puller