The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop a crazy rattle

so I've had this rattle for quite some time, but too lazy (I mean busy) to find out the problem and fix it. it sounds like a spray can rattle, coming from the engine compartment. my friend noticed that the harmonic balancer was wobbling. there is a slight wobble in the balancer but the pulley behind the balancer has a more pronounced wobble. by hand I am not able to move the balancer but I do feel some play when I push/pull on the pulley. so I think I've finally found the rattle, but i'm not sure how to fix it. if I drive the balancer further onto the crankshaft, will it automatically tighten the pulley or is there something else I need to do so the pulley doesn't wobble anymore. thanks. (1950 3100, with 235 engine).

Hy che. unfotunately you will have to remove the balancer, it sounds like the balancers bore is worn oversize. You will have to look for a used or rebuilt balancer. The crankshaft was never drilled for a balancer retaining bolt so the press (interference) fit is the only thing holding it in place. I always drill the crankshaft on my engine rebuilds, hope that helps.

I still can't wrap my head around how the harmonic balancer stays on the millions of Chevrolets with the "just beat them into place" harmonic balancer.

thanks for the quick reply. I was actually hoping to save the enhancer because it's not loose and the wobble isn't real pronounced. if I can save it, how do I fix the pulley--do I just need a new one where the hole isn't worn. (I really don't know how the whole enhancer goes together so my question might show my ignorance--maybe the fact that the pulley is loose means I need to replace the whole thing including the enhancer as you suggest.)

Hy che, I believe there are a couple of companies that rebuild the balancers, Damper-Dudes I think is one of them, I think they might do an exchange program, I'm sure there are other companies as well. A little confusilator research may yield their names, hope that helps.

To best of my knowledge, get yourself a 216 balancer, They fit the 235 crankshaft and will be the proper diameter to spin your older water pump at the proper speed. There must be thousands of those laying around.Jerry

I pulled the balancer and it came off relatively easy. it appears to be in decent shape, but the rivets are not tight--which is why it was wobbling and making the rattle. 1) is there any reason why I shouldn't take it to a machine shop and have the rivets pressed to take out the play (I tried with a hammer and punch but they wouldn't budge). wouldn't that solve my problem without the $200 expense of buying a rebuilt one? 2) now that I've got the grill off and the balancer is there anything else I should replace or inspect to save myself the trouble later on. 3) is the guy still around that loans out the jig to drill and tap the crankshaft to install the holding bolt for the balancer? I saw an old post of his (if he reads this, please send me the information because I would definitely like to do this.). thanks.

Hy che, if the balancer did not need a puller to remove it then it is too loose and probably worn! I believe it was Hotrod Lincoln who had the jig for drilling the front of the crankshaft, hope that helps.

on mine I would tighten up the fan belt..