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| | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 | Hi Guys putting a 400 sbc into my truck and noticed that the balancer is wobbling up/down at idle. To me it looks like quite abit of wobble. Is This normal? Should I put on a new one. Also what's the difference between fluid damper and the ones with rubber. Thanks
38 original
48 panel
59 stepside
46 in the back forty
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 215 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 215 | The rubber bond holding the outer ring on is likely broken, don't run it again before you change it, its ugly if it comes flying off!
The fluid dampers are more sensitive to correcting imbalance at high rpm, and are somewhat smoother probably not noticeable or worth the expense for a non-race engine. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 207 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 207 | If you do replace it I had Dale refurbish mine for about half the cost of buying another one. Here's the website: http://www.dalemfg.com/harmonicbalancer_018.htmHe was prompt and it looks good.
Tom
1965 Chevy C10, 230 straight six, 2WD, 4-speed manual
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 319 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 319 | Remember that the 400 is externally balanced, so it's a damper AND part of the crank balancing (which also includes the flywheel/flexplate). I don't think stock replacements cost that much...just make sure you get the right one.
Edit: Summit Racing $62.95 on up.
cm
Last edited by starfire4; 01/21/2011 4:33 PM.
If you can't fix it with a hammer and screwdriver, you need a bigger hammer.1965 Chevy C10 | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,772 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,772 | Don't run the engine again until it's fixed. Once you've got the old balancer off, inspect the inside of the hub and the crankshaft snout. If the wobble is coming from the crank/balancer junction and not the outer ring, there might be some wear on the crankshaft snout that will require replacing the crank. If the wear is minor, you might get by with using red LocTite on the crank/hub interface and the center bolt. Good luck!
Jerry
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | Is it possible the counterweight gives it the apearance of wobeling when it acually isn't? Ive never seen one wobble "up & down".
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 85 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 85 | Remember that the 400 is externally balanced, so it's a damper AND part of the crank balancing (which also includes the flywheel/flexplate). I don't think stock replacements cost that much...just make sure you get the right one.
Edit: Summit Racing $62.95 on up.
cm THIS!!! I ran in to this issue with another car. for the life of me could not figure out the issue until it was pointed out tht the crank was not internally balanced and the balancer i bought was for an internally balanced crank.
52 Chevy 1/2 ton - work in progress 65 Mustang coupe - work not in progress  67 Mustang GT convertibile 67 Camaro RS/SS We are now even with fords and chevys. Now i need a mopar. Hahahahahahahahaha
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,067 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,067 | Change the balancer. It's not difficult and it's not expensive.
I've got the same thing going on on my 350 engine in my truck. But I'm not driving it anyway because it's got a cracked piston and that motor is coming out for replacing soon.
52 GMC 3/4 ton pickup
68 Big Block Vette
68 455 Firebird
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