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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,377 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,377 | I think the 216 balancer will work and you could get a 54 water pump and use your existing balancer. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Start by reading the text about my adapter. Water pump adapterYou have a number of choices on balancers.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
Dave,
The question of balancers has come up in other posts. Is it safe to say that you can use whatever 215/235/261 balancer that matches the fan belt grooves in the water pump and generator?
Thanks,
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | The only balancer I do not recommend is the 1955-62 passenger balancer.
Because of the larger diameter it will turn the fan faster than designed for. This can flex the fan more than designed for leading to cracking.
On vehicles that have a high ratio rear end, or an OD trans, so sustained high RPMs are not likely it is even OK to use the pass balancer.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 | How would I know what year my water pump and balancer are from? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | GMC or Chevrolet? Chevrolet: Post links to photos of front/rear of the water pump. That will allow distinguishing new-style (high pressure engines) from old style (low pressure engines): 41 to 52 series ( use this pulley for 53 to 55-1st); and, 55-2nd to 62. The diameter of the balancer will allow distinguishing newer car from truck and older car. Width of the pulley groove will distinguish years. The width of the pulley-grooves can distinguish the years that used that width: 5/8" 37-52; and, 3/8" 53-62. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 | the diameter of the balancer that came off the 216 is in the 6" range and the diameter of the balancer that came off the 235 is in the 7" range | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 90 | Thanks for all the great info!!!! Without all of you I would definitely not be moving closer to getting my truck back on the road!! This is a must resource to have when dealing with these great trucks!!!
Last edited by 37FamilyBowTie; 06/26/2011 10:05 PM.
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