[First Bird]

What have you guys done to add a reinforcing ring to these smaller pulleys? I am installing 6" diameter aluminum pulleys on a 455. The stock Reinforcing Ring (RR) does not fit - too wide. I searched the Forum archives without answer. I plan to keep the RR I have behind the pulley since it aligns the pulleys perfectly. But I understand I need the RR in front too. Thanks!

[BVR421]

It goes between the pulley and the damper
Bolts and washers only on front side

[rolling money pits]

you have to remember, the factory reinforcing ring was designed to be used with a factory spun metal pulley ( or pulleys if you had AC ).

going to something different, in this case aftermarket aluminum ones, changes things.

best to call the maker of the pulley and ask what they want/require.

if they're making them for pontiacs they should know the diameter of the factory reinforcement ring. if it doesnt fit that would mean two things:

it's not needed. or. they have no business making pontiac specific pulleys.

[rolling money pits]

Originally Posted by First Bird

What have you guys done to add a reinforcing ring to these smaller pulleys? I am installing 6" diameter aluminum pulleys on a 455. The stock Reinforcing Ring (RR) does not fit - too wide. I searched the Forum archives without answer. I plan to keep the RR I have behind the pulley since it aligns the pulleys perfectly. But I understand I need the RR in front too. Thanks!

Originally Posted by BVR421

It goes between the pulley and the damper
Bolts and washers only on front side

no, they dont.

the factory rings were placed on the outboard side of the crank pulley(s). they were there to keep them from ripping off the bolts.

if you need the ring placed between the pulley and the balancer to align the rest of your set up, something is wrong. wrong brackets, pulleys, aftermarket balancer, etc.

[First Bird]

Crank pulley has two bolt patterns. Bought near new off eBay, so manufacturer unknown. Aftermarket balancer and water pump. Spacing is great with stock RR between balancer and pulley. So it looks like I need to find or make a second smaller RR to fit between pulley and bolts. Thanks for the advice.

[cnc]

Yep ring goes on the outer side of the crank pulley bolts got through the ring and the pulley

[Murf'sDad]

Originally Posted by BVR421

It goes between the pulley and the damper
Bolts and washers only on front side

Installed like that it is not a reinforcing ring, it's a spacer. The RR goes on on after the pulley is set on the balancer. The bolts sandwich the pulley between the RR and the balancer.

Stewart

[dadsformula]

There is a use of the spacer between the Balancer and pully. If you are
using an setup from an AC Car in an non AC appclication. The Spacer (extra one)
can be used in place of the AC pully. You should also use another one in front
of the Pully. This may seem unnessisary, but that 1/16 of an inch is needed
to correctly space the pulleys in this application.

[First Bird]

Here's a follow-up on the thread. I emailed March Performance:
"Do I need a reinforcing ring for my aluminum crank pulley? The stock pulley had one between the pulley and the bolts. If I do need one, where do I get one to fit inside the smaller diameter aluminum pulley?"

March Reply:
"No, our pulley bolts directly to the balancer, no ring has ever been needed. Might have to check with balancer company to make sure since its an aftermarket balancer. Thanks, MP"

I'm not sure the person at March understood the exact location of the reinforcing ring, but "No ring has ever been needed." is pretty definitive.

Now, is this a March pulley? As good as? Cheap, soft Chinese crap?

[74Grandville]

I believe there is a different style ring that is samller. it may fit in there as it's not much bigger then the bolts. I'm not sure what years use them though, if it's an older or newer design.

[73FIREBIRD]

I make all my own pulleys & am a machinist. From the pictures it looks like the back wall thickness is about 1/4 inch thick. I make mine a little thicker but I would say you will not need the RR inside the pulley

[First Bird]

Wall thickness is 0.250". Good eye there 73Firebird. Thanks for the analysis.
I'll look around for a smaller ring as you suggest 74 Grandville. If I find one easily I might use it just for overkill. If not, it's nice to know that a guy who makes pulleys wouldn't bother. Thanks for the input guys.