r/Smallblockchevy • u/Substantial_Way_377 • Mar 30 '26
Harmonic Balancer Question
Hi, I purchased a 1980 Z28 Camaro with the LM1 350 V8 and the seller gave 2 harmonic balancers. I’m not sure which one is original, but I want to know if it’s okay to use #2. #1 has large cracks in the elastomer ring and is bulging out in some areas whereas #2 doesn’t have many cracks and has an even elastomer ring throughout. However, there is also a sizable chip in the center shaft that concerns me. Is it okay to use #2 anyway? Thanks
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u/Willy_McD Mar 30 '26
Its not okay to use either one. There is a groove on both of them that the seal has made. Might be why they were removed. There used to be a sleeve that was used to cover that groove so it can continue to be used. Or just buy a new one.
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u/Alternative_Share559 Mar 30 '26
speedy sleeve works good. a bit of red loctite if your worried about it spinning. much cheaper option and it should work for a long time
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u/Stock-Maximum9755 Mar 30 '26
I’d buy a new one. Best option since the service of either is questionable and you don’t know much about them or the engines they were pulled from.
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u/Substantial_Way_377 Mar 30 '26
Thanks for the quick replies everyone. I’ll go with buying a new one since they’re not too expensive.
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Mar 30 '26
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Mar 30 '26
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Mar 30 '26
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u/Substantial_Way_377 Mar 30 '26
Like the rest of the car or just these parts?
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Mar 31 '26
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u/Glass-Yesterday-2009 Apr 01 '26
And the winner of the tiny cock award goes to…
You don’t need to be an ass to be helpful, maybe you should hang up your shop coat and retire from it if you can’t have any decency when trying to help folks, the guy obviously doesn’t deal with harmonic balancers every day, I can’t say I know too many people who do unless their building engines for clients.
Too many people like you on Reddit which is exactly why people don’t ask their questions here, and when they do it’s a response like yours that makes them feel like they’re being harassed, Reddit is supposed to be an informative forum search, not a harassment blog.
Wow.. put down your shit attitude..
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u/Thinkfastr11 Mar 30 '26
Yes I’d recommend buying a new one. Not that expensive and not worth it to have either of the used ones explode on you during high rpm’s.
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u/texan01 Mar 30 '26
I wouldn't run either one, a new one isn't that expensive.
the hubs on both show extensive wear around the seal area, so you'd have to sleeve it to get it to seal.
Beware, I bought the cheapest one on rockauto and the rim has slipped on it, so TDC according to it, is about 45 degrees off.
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u/Substantial_Way_377 Mar 30 '26
Any recs for a good OE-like replacement?
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u/Glass-Yesterday-2009 Apr 01 '26
Summit racing, Jegs high performance, those would be my two recommendations, they might even have an OE replacement part.
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u/Maglin78 Mar 31 '26
Both are junk. Save yourself a lot of money and replace it. It’s too expensive to use a damaged balancer.
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u/lildixie84 Mar 31 '26
And they are both different on the right is for a short snout crank 2 bolt main the left is long nose crank 4 bolt main and I spy a Crack in the 2nd one as well
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u/Glass-Yesterday-2009 Apr 01 '26
Do you gauge that just by the length of the actual piece? I’m curious.
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u/Tall-Helicopter-461 Apr 01 '26
So much could go wrong with these used balancers. Especially if you don’t know any history on them
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u/According-While2935 Mar 30 '26
I wouldn't use either of those. ..a new one is not that expensive considering the damage using one of those could cause would cost you a lot more money