Balancer spun?

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
My Royal failed the smog test. Darn thing passed last year, Has Ultimate chip but passed no problem

I started checking things out on the truck. Started off with the timing. Had never verified if it was set correctly. So I unplugged the tan wire and put the timing light to it and the timing mark was way off.

If I adjust to were the mark gets anywere close to the tab the truck won't even run. I'm wondering if the timing was OK and the outer ring spun on the balancer.

Guess I can verify that I have the piston at TDC. Then see if the timing mark on the balancer looks right.

I just don't think it could be anywhere close to being right.
 

randy merritt

Donating Member
Re: Balancer spun?

My Royal failed the smog test. Darn thing passed last year, Has Ultimate chip but passed no problem

I started checking things out on the truck. Started off with the timing. Had never verified if it was set correctly. So I unplugged the tan wire and put the timing light to it and the timing mark was way off.

If I adjust to were the mark gets anywere close to the tab the truck won't even run. I'm wondering if the timing was OK and the outer ring spun on the balancer.

Guess I can verify that I have the piston at TDC. Then see if the timing mark on the balancer looks right.

I just don't think it could be anywhere close to being right.

Sounds like the outer ring spun, happened to me. Apparently very common.
 

black cat

New member
Re: Balancer spun?

Mine too. was just doing a double check and couldn,t find 0. took it off and could spin it in the vise. bought a pioneer , very happy
 

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
Re: Balancer spun?

It could have been set correctly then spun. Then I attempted to adjust it and really screwed it up. Oh well it's not to bad to fix.

Then I can get to work making it pass the smog test.

I get to replace the tie rod ends on my wife's DD tomorrow. I have way to many vehicles.
 

DaveP

Active member
Re: Balancer spun?

Every spun ballancer I've found, I could turn the outer ring by hand. They have all (at least 6 of them now) been very loose. No piston stops required.

Another not too difficult way to check it, especially if you think you're going to replace it anyway and have the upper shroud and fan off anyway:
  • Line up the timing marks.
  • Remove the center bolt..
  • Check the position of the key-way.
  • The key-way lines up with the center line of the Drivers side cylinder centers. Eyeball is close enough.
 

TYTILIDIE

METH HEAD
Re: Balancer spun?

I've had it happen twice, nothing wrong with spending a couple extra buck on a decent one. Go to Napa, Autozone and you're sure to continue the drama.
 

DaveP

Active member
Re: Balancer spun?

I bought a Dorman. $45.00, and had it the next day. While probably not "top quality", who gives a shit? It will probably outlast me, or at least last until I sell the truck. The GM OEM lasted 20+ years. That's not "good enough"?
 

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
Re: Balancer spun?

Thanks guys. It has to be screwed up. The balancer isn't to hard to get at(compared to other things on the truck). That won't be to hard of a fix.
 
Re: Balancer spun?

Every spun ballancer I've found, I could turn the outer ring by hand. They have all (at least 6 of them now) been very loose. No piston stops required.

Another not too difficult way to check it, especially if you think you're going to replace it anyway and have the upper shroud and fan off anyway:
  • Line up the timing marks.
  • Remove the center bolt..
  • Check the position of the key-way.
  • The key-way lines up with the center line of the Drivers side cylinder centers. Eyeball is close enough.


I was hoping to see this. I knew you had verified a way to eyeball it, but didn't feel like searching for it. Thanks, Dave.
 

canadian

sy in progress
Re: Balancer spun?

Remove the center bolt..

How difficult is it to remove the center bolt? Is it righty-tighty, or the opposite? I want to check mine, but dread how much of a pain it will be to get the bolt out and back in properly.
 

Davemc1963

93 Ty Owner
Re: Balancer spun?

Happened to me too. I posted same thing a good while back. Fortunately I had Checked my TDC and timed it when I fitted the MSD distributor, but when I checked it sometime later as you have, the line on the balancer was no where in sight. I will have to get around to changing it, but it is running better than it ever has at the minute. I dont want to spend a fortune on a new damper, as I dont believe I need a 'race' damper for my truck. What manufacturers and part numbers are people using? I have read on here some have used a 350 damper as they are both neutral balance. Is there a good reasons for not doing this as long as its the right diameter, other than making sure the pulleys are all aligned afterwards?
 

sytyguy

Moderated User
Re: Balancer spun?

How difficult is it to remove the center bolt? Is it righty-tighty, or the opposite? I want to check mine, but dread how much of a pain it will be to get the bolt out and back in properly.
RH thread (counterclockwise loosen) with a 5/8" head if I remember correctly......but I've been working on Jeeps lately, so my memory on that sucks.

Impact makes the job easy peasy, but it's not so tight you couldn't get it off with a long handle ratchet.
 

qbnkiller

Conflaguration Specialist
Re: Balancer spun?

leave the serpentine belt on and it breaks loose with 1/2-drive ratchet and socket easily.
 

DaveP

Active member
Re: Balancer spun?

Damn. I have to admit that "my code" is so rusty, I had to resort to this. Its a lot easier to use the chart to find the code, than translate code to letters.

315px-International_Morse_Code.svg.png
 

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
Re: Balancer spun?

Darn thing sure had spun. It wasn't loose enough to spin by hand. But was way off.
 

gkrcr882

SyTyless......for now!
Re: Balancer spun?

The one on my Ty did too. Did the same thing as you, tried to set the timing and it was way off.:crazyeye:
 
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