[gtorich]

Besides all my other issues, i was gonna put the balancer on today...........watched a vid from Fast monty garage...........he used a tool to remove the balancer........i just pulled mine off by hand.............then he used a special tool to install.............i just put mine back by hand.

Am i missing something here or what, i know its a press fit but when i push it back by hand seems to be good to go...............just want to double check here before i mess something up.

Rich

[Joe's Garage]

Chevrolets usually require the puller and sometimes use an installer tool. Pontiacs are usually not that hard to get on and off.

The most important part of taking the balancer off and putting it back on is torquing it correctly to 160 ft/lbs.

A loose balancer bolt will cause a bunch of issues.

[highway star]

On/Off by hand. I put some blue thread locker on that bolt with flat washer.

[b-man]

Pontiac V8 factory balancers are a slip fit, some aftermarket ones are press fit.

You didn’t mention which balancer you’re using so it depends whether or not it should need a puller or installation tool.

Torque the bolt properly using thread locker and move on, what you’ve described is normal.

[Sirrotica]

Some aftermarket balancers are a press fit, factory is a slip fit. The video you watched must have been one of the aftermarket balancers that are press fit.

Pontiac engineers used the large bolt to hold the balancer tightly in position, to also use a press fit is redundant of the original design. As has been already been said, it needs to be torqued to 160# to work correctly. Loose bolts nearly always split the balancer on the keyway, and usually the broken part ends up in the oil pan. Don't think less torque will be okay, because you'll end up with more work, and expense.

[gtorich]

Originally Posted by b-man

Pontiac V8 factory balancers are a slip fit, some aftermarket ones are press fit.

You didn’t mention which balancer you’re using so it depends whether or not it should need a puller or installation tool.

Torque the bolt properly using thread locker and move on, what you’ve described is normal.

Just looked it up i have a power bond PB 1056ss.............havent torqued it down yet, but pushed it on by hand, dont think i can push it any further, so im assuming torque the bolt and im good to go.

Rich

[b-man]

Probably a stock replacement more or less.

Torque it and you’ll be good.

[gtorich]

Thanks B man and the others............watched the vid again just to make sure, it does look like the balancer i have..........no mention on what it really is though.........i will look into this a little further tomorrow.

Rich

[Goatracer1]

Others mentioned the torque on the balancer bolt. If the balancer cracks it can be more than an inconvenience. I had a balance that broke at the key way and a piece about half inch by an inch came off and got caught between the timing chain and the crank sprocket. The chain snapped and the engine instantly stopped bending an intake valve.

[pontiacmark]

I have a brand new GM balancer and Eagle crank and the fit is way too tight. Would you recommend polishing out the ID of the balancer?

[pontiacmark]

I have a brand new GM balancer and Eagle crank and the fit is way too tight. Would you recommend polishing out the ID of the balancer?

[Lee]

Originally Posted by pontiacmark

I have a brand new GM balancer and Eagle crank and the fit is way too tight. Would you recommend polishing out the ID of the balancer?

Eagle seems to make their crank snouts a bit larger than OEM. I tried to install a Romac balancer on an Eagle, and that would NOT work. I had a Power Bond balancer on hand, though, it was snug but fit the Eagle much better.

[Tom Vaught]

I would polish the Eagle Crank Snout if that part was out of the engine currently.

Tom V.

[pontiacmark]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

I would polish the Eagle Crank Snout if that part was out of the engine currently.

Tom V.

Unfortunately, the engine is completely assembled.

[Gach]

You can order balancer with a pass fit, thats how I ordered mine ATI balancer. I do have the tool to install and un-install mine. Totally not necessary for a street car. The press fit gets rid of the harmonics associated with much higher hp and rpms. I think once you get up in 6500 rpm range, its a definite factor. You should have no problem with slip fit.

[Formulabruce]

I have used a weed whacker engine hone ( they are tiny, 3 prong spring loaded) ) on a balancer or two to address this issue with eagle cranks.

[steve25]

In terms of the above, a 2 arm brake cylinder hone will work also and many of us have one hidden away somewhere that has not seen the light of day in 30’years!

If you go this route then keep spray flushing the hole with WD40 while your honing and check for the needed fit very often.

[rolling money pits]

Dumb question, when using hones mentioned above, how do they “skip” over the keyway in the balancer snout without hanging up and/or get all mangled up?

[Half-Inch Stud]

A belt of 320 grit empry cloth ought to do real weell and "easy for belting-down the installed snout. Turn 120* a couple times, wipe, and check for improved fit. Slip might be too much even though stock fit slipped easy.

First tape a shop cloth diaper on the front journal+ Pan.

[steve25]

As long as the stone is wider then the key groove all is fine.