I have installed plenty of balancers over the years on 283 and 327's that don't have a drilled crankshaft. However, I hate the idea of pounding them on because of what it may be doing to crank bearings.
Has anyone ever figured out a way to install one safely without a hammer?
My one thought, crazy as it sounds is to stand the engine up on the back end on the concrete floor. At least then the crank is supported against a hard surface and it's not moving back and forth in the block with each blow of the hammer.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Here's my thoughts on it but as you know, I'm not an engine builder. I would leave the engine (crankshaft) out in the frigid Mb. air for a couple hours and heat the balancer in boiling water prior to installing and my bet is it will slide on with minimal tapping, if any. It works for press fit bearings in gearboxes on drilling rigs! We heat the bearings in hot oil and cool the shaft with propane and they slide on by hand yet need pullers to be removed. Hope it works.
I guess I could leave the engine wrapped up and put it outside for the night. I had never thought of that. If I wrap it and tie it good a night of -30 really won't hurt anything.
Guess I need to check the weather and see what's ahead. Thanks for the idea.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
My one fear of getting the balancer too hot is ruining the seal. I know it sees 200 or a bit more in use, but I don't want to kill the rubber part of the seal.
Thanks Dave, good suggestions.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
The other option I have just read about on another forum would be to drill and tap the crankshaft, then bolt and washer to pull it on as normal. Myself, not sure I would do it in fear of ruining a small journal 327 crank.
go with your first idea of standing it on end on the floor or a block of wood. It's not like your gonna beat it to death.
the -30 outside , and a boiling water for the balancer are great ideas , if your not in a hurry. this is common practice in industry for 'shrinking ' bearings on.
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later...rog
AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
No real hurry, it's something I will likely do one night this week.
They say -26 on Thursday night so that might be a good night to do it!
sounds like a plan, let us know how you make out. Thank god for cold canadian prairie winters. Don't leave your beer outside over night - though I'm sure you learned that lesson a long time ago.