The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster
I replaced the balancer a little while ago but I'm just getting around to getting the pics up.
The balancer that was on the engine was looking worn out and after I removed it, I realized that it actually was in fact totally beat. The rubber isolator was shot. I wiggled it off with my hands after the bolt came out, no puller needed. Probably slipping.
I got a Pioneer internal balance unit from Summit. Initially, I was going to get it from CNC Motorsports who had them cheaper even with shipping. I got Summit to price match it though and got free shipping on the order so it worked out OK. The part was on back order so I had to wait a bit. No big deal, car is in pieces.
Thought I'd also write a little about the balncer installer tool here as well in case you are unfamiliar with one. I recommend using the correct tool for this job. When I was working as a tech, I used to borrow a balancer installer tool from the guy across from me so I never got my own. Some guys would put the unit on loosely and cinch it down using a gun on the crank bolt. I would always make it a point to use the tool though. I thought the gun method posed too much of a risk. So of course now I need the tool but I'm S.O.L. 'cause i have no one to borrow it from. I finally broke down and got one - a cheap one from Summit that works well.
Pioneer wants you to measure the I.D. of the balancer hub and compare it to the O.D. of the crank snout to make sure there isn't too much or too little interference. They give you a spec to shoot for and tell you to machine the I.D. of the hub for correct fit. I threw caution to the wind, voided my warranty and installed it without much fanfare. Seemed to go on with the right amount of interference. Can't be any worse than what was on there.
The Pioneer balancer is a nice-looking product, especially with the cool-guy engraved timing marks. I learned about the part because Myron (Locomotion) recommends them every time a "what balancer" thread comes up. Seeing that he's pretty successful at what he does, I would trust the things he uses to be top notch parts.
OK, on to the pics. Here's Ye Olde 340 balancer that was replaced.
Rubber isolator ring was toast. I've seen worse but it was time for a replacement.
New part.
OOOOOOOHHHH, shiny.
Installation tool in action. Much easier to do this job with the radiator out.
Installed.
Note engraved timing marks. No more White Out.
Been working on other things as well. Got most of the trans cooler lines plumbed. I hope to button up the front of the engine bay soon. Also working on mounting my seats. I need to figure out how to adapt the S/S seat brackets to my seats and to the floor since they don't exactly line up.
More to come.
I replaced the balancer a little while ago but I'm just getting around to getting the pics up.
The balancer that was on the engine was looking worn out and after I removed it, I realized that it actually was in fact totally beat. The rubber isolator was shot. I wiggled it off with my hands after the bolt came out, no puller needed. Probably slipping.
I got a Pioneer internal balance unit from Summit. Initially, I was going to get it from CNC Motorsports who had them cheaper even with shipping. I got Summit to price match it though and got free shipping on the order so it worked out OK. The part was on back order so I had to wait a bit. No big deal, car is in pieces.
Thought I'd also write a little about the balncer installer tool here as well in case you are unfamiliar with one. I recommend using the correct tool for this job. When I was working as a tech, I used to borrow a balancer installer tool from the guy across from me so I never got my own. Some guys would put the unit on loosely and cinch it down using a gun on the crank bolt. I would always make it a point to use the tool though. I thought the gun method posed too much of a risk. So of course now I need the tool but I'm S.O.L. 'cause i have no one to borrow it from. I finally broke down and got one - a cheap one from Summit that works well.
Pioneer wants you to measure the I.D. of the balancer hub and compare it to the O.D. of the crank snout to make sure there isn't too much or too little interference. They give you a spec to shoot for and tell you to machine the I.D. of the hub for correct fit. I threw caution to the wind, voided my warranty and installed it without much fanfare. Seemed to go on with the right amount of interference. Can't be any worse than what was on there.
The Pioneer balancer is a nice-looking product, especially with the cool-guy engraved timing marks. I learned about the part because Myron (Locomotion) recommends them every time a "what balancer" thread comes up. Seeing that he's pretty successful at what he does, I would trust the things he uses to be top notch parts.
OK, on to the pics. Here's Ye Olde 340 balancer that was replaced.
Rubber isolator ring was toast. I've seen worse but it was time for a replacement.
New part.
OOOOOOOHHHH, shiny.
Installation tool in action. Much easier to do this job with the radiator out.
Installed.
Note engraved timing marks. No more White Out.
Been working on other things as well. Got most of the trans cooler lines plumbed. I hope to button up the front of the engine bay soon. Also working on mounting my seats. I need to figure out how to adapt the S/S seat brackets to my seats and to the floor since they don't exactly line up.
More to come.
