The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Dual Pulley Harmonic Balancer

Hi All,

I am going to convert my 1956 235 with the famed water pump adapter. It currently has the thinner 3/8" belt.
I have done a lot of reading and figure that I can either stay with the 3/8" belt or go with the 5/8" belt.
My plan is to add air conditioning so I would like to get a dual pulley harmonic balancer.
My questions is should I go with 3/8" or 5/8" dual pulley harmonic balancer? Do most of the popular compressors (Sanden 508) use a standard size. Anyone have links to AC installs?

Chev did not make a dual 5/8" balancer, so yes to the 3/8".
Most compressors use the 3/8" or 1/2" belt

Patrick Dykes sells an A/C kit from Old Air Products. Both sites are a little vague about what type of crank pulley to use, other that a 3/8" belt is to be used.

Buffalo Enterprises makes a dual-groove crank pulley-dampener for a 216-235-261 from a 292 pulley. I have one on my street rod with a 261. Steve at Buffalo does not have a website. You will need to call or write him:
25625 Dahl Road, Arlington, WA, 98223
(360) 652-7684

However, I do not have an A/C system on a 235-261 (yet), as I am between Stovebolt trucks.

Hoyt

Looking at the OAP website it looks like their system is designed to work with a one pulley harmonic balancer. The alternator is run right off the compressor. So I believe a dual pulley is not needed? They did not mention needing one.
Interesting, they also have a bracket for the chevy 250 engines to mount the compressor on the passanger side. I wonder if this could work with the 235 and if anyone has tried this.

I have the OAP system on my 55.1 3100. It does not require a 2-groove balancer. The AC compressor has a 2-groove pulley and it runs the alternator. I'm adding power steering, so I've installed a 2-groove balancer from Buffalo. I have a bracket set from Buffalo that I intend to install this winter.

regards,
Leon

I do not plan on using PS so I can probably get by with one pulley. Do you have any pictures of your install? Thanks!

I could only find one pic of the compressor installation.

regards,
Leon

It looks like you are using the 1/2" older style water pump. Very nice install, I assume that since the cab is a small volume, it must cool very effectively. I am quite happy with just rolling the windows down but my wife would drive with me more if I had AC:)

I know this is an old post, but I just spoke with Steve at Buffalo about purchasing a two groove 292 harmonic balancer for my '52 216. Steve makes the two groove balancers to order and will make any combination of groove widths that you want. I decided on a 5/8" grove (closest to engine) for a the stock water pump and gen/alt setup. The outer groove will be 3/8" for the more common a/c compressor pulley size.

Steve charges $225 (plus shipping) whereas, Dale Mfg. charges $190 to rebuld your stock 216 balancer. No brainer to go two groove setup for versatility. I will be drilling and tapping the crank snout as well.

Edit: After more thought, I am thinking 3/8" for both pulleys. I think this will allow the use of a '53 216 water pump (3/8"), and common alternator pulley. So, can I just purchase a stock 292 vibration dampner and will it fit on the 216?