Harmonic damper fitment issues la360

[cookietruck]

This measurement is 1.368 on a used factory damper. Disregard the tape measure, it wasn't accurate enough. I measured it with a dial caliper

View attachment 1716430331

Yep. I just measured a late 70s damper.
1.37” on that one as well.

It is also a slightly different style than the one NC measured.

 

[1969moparDART]

I appreciate everyone's input and help with measurements, I found the issue to be the timing cover was a different depth than oem parts by roughly .250 so with some file work i got it worked down without cutting all the way through and I now have it seated, torqued and a little less than ⅛ of an inch clearance with full rotation, im sure it should probably be more but I dont want to blow it out and have to get it welded

 

[1966Post]

Good job to you! Shame on Dorman!

 

[mopowers]

Looks like @middleagecrisis nailed this one. Nice job!! I'm surprised more people don't have similar issues with those aftermarket timing covers.

Out of curiosity, I went out and measure the Dayco Powerbond balancer for my 408 build. It measures at about 7-1/8".

 

[Dartswinger70]

I had the same issue a few years ago with a trick flow balancer. A legendary member whose advice I always respected (PBR), suggested these.

View attachment 1716430380

Aha! I like it...

 

[TF360]

Did you just have to file it where the Timing Scale is?

 

[1969moparDART]

Did you just have to file it where the Timing Scale is?

Yes, I wish I had taken a picture before seating the balancer, but yes I just filed the front face of it, I elongated my timing marks to ensure they weren't lost, so all of the timing marks on the cover are still there and visible and with the HD installed you can't even tell it's there, if anyone else does this just go slow and steady if you take off too much you will have to patch or weld a hole if you file all the way through it, specifically why i chose to file it off instead of a grinder, or drimmel, so much more control with the file, only took about 30 min, file, check, file, rinse and repeat until it fits, also just add the oil slinger, will help some but in my case wouldn't have been enough.