Hi guys, I've got to remove my harmonic balancer off my fresh 401 and have it rebuilt since the ring has started to slide around. Who does the best quality job and does it right ? Glenn
No, the keyway and timing marks are in the same position for the dampner on the 400/430/455 and the 410/425. The weight is also in the same relative position. You will need to take .210" off the crank end of the late generation BBB dampner to use it on the 401/425. Otherwise, the pulleys will not line up as intended. The 455 dampner should also be balanced to the 401/425 rotating assembly where it will be used. It might be easier to send the problem dampner to Dampner Dudes in CA (search for them on the net). I know they have gotten a few of these right in the past. Cheryl
Our TA2026 repo balancer for the 455 will fit. It even has a timing mark cut into it for the nailhead. We have spun it on the nailhead crank and have found it to be with in 10-15 grams. Close enough to just install. The timing gear end does need to be shortened. If you shorten a stock or early repo TA2026 balance the crank will come past the washer surface and not allow you to torque it up. On the last run of TA2026 we left material on the washer surface so the balancer could be shortened and torqued up properly. By the way. Rebuilt balancers are not a very good way to go. They are not rebuilt with the correct rubber and there are only a few that can hydraulically install the rubber which I have found no one that will do it to a used balancer. They are mostly put back together with a type of silicon rubber, yes glued back together.
Or : you can shorten a stock 400/430/455 dampner and install a bushing in the front of the balancer that is slightly larger than the 401/425 crank diameter and slightly smaller than the diameter of the back cut for the bolt washer. There is no need for any special relief in the bushing for the keyway as the keyway is at least .350" away from the front of the crank. It might be nice if a provider made such a bushing so that you don’t have to see a machinist or endlessly search for something that will work when doing this. Or: The BHJ dampner for the 455 has enough distance to shorten it without a bushing on the 401/425 crank. This is what I have for my 425. That is how I know the timing marks are the same and the balance is similar (you may have to clearance the timing cover a little). Or: You could use the 455 dampner as is and shim your PS bracket, alt bracket, AC brackets ac WP pulley roughly .200" out from the engine (watch fan clearance). I would still balance the rotating assembly to any new dampner if this was a serious engine that will see "enthusiastic driving." If not, the shake will tell you if it is out of balance on a lower rpm engine. I know that the Dampner Dude repair is not as good as new, but it has worked for many without issue (depending on application). Cheryl
Cheryl Which BHJ balancer did you use? I take it you used the BU-EB455-7, as the stock replacement according to the web site is only available from TA (BU-TA-1233832). Mike How much is the billet TA V2026 balancer? I see your TA 2026 is 249.95 Thanks Roger
Roger, Mine looks similar to the BU-EB455-7, but it is not the same. The number on the dampner is BHJ 15381. It is from the early 90s and has probably been superseded by a new number. It had over 2" from the shoulder for the bolt washer to where it would contact the oil slinger. That distance needs to be over 1.5" after the dampner is shortened. Otherwise, you would need to find or make a bushing for the front again. Cheryl
I thought that I would let you all know that I had mine redone by the guys at Damper Doctor 1055 Parkview Ave. Redding, CA 96001 http://www.damperdoctor.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=DD&Category_Code=HAR They did a great job, and it's been back on the engine for over a month and everything is working right.
