Re: Broken Harmonic Balancer on V-8

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2013/11/18 18:43:26

Craig - I too had a strange under-hood noise in the 56 Carib about 15 years ago, but I was lucky and found it almost immediately; fortunately the hood was open and engine idling when I took a look - and quickly spotted the damper weight ring loose and banging into the timing degree protrusion on the timing chain cover. Even in the short drive home it battered the cover so much that in the end I replaced the timing chain cover.

I forget just how I got the damper off, I didn't have the special took but in any case it was so simple I don't remember the details. Since I was changing the cover I also took the opportunity to replace the timing chain and also check to be sure I had the later style camshaft thrust plate that was part of the engine oiling running changes. When I reinstalled the damper, after cleaning the surfaces I packed the crankshaft snout with dry ice for a few minutes and the damper just slipped on with minimal effort. I used Steele Rubber for the revulcanizing service, that was before I knew of Damper Docs.