I am such a happy man right now! About 3 months ago, I wasted a Mustang while testing the new 350 motor, when at very high RPM's, the thing just came apart, like a torque converter would. I still won, but the car limped home. I couldn't take it past 2500 RPM's, and barely made it home. Frustrated I parked it for a couple months. Last night, I put the Monza up in the air to remove the tranny... always a fun job, and after removing a few bolts, I went to the front to remove the shroud and radiator to move the engine forward to get to the bellhousing.. (Yes, its that close):Brow: . I looked up and saw the Harmonic Balancer was GONE! I am amazed this thing even ran. I am also surprised there wasn't a hole in my hood. Anyway, a new balancer , and I am in business! I think a great place to test and tune this thing would be the Nats, what do ya think? Anyone got a tow vehicle they want to sell? I got my 71 Skylark with a 350, but I dont know if it will haul that 2200lb car + trailer from FL to KY. What do ya think? Woo Hoo! -Jon
The tow rating for the 70 to 72 Skylark/GS was 3500lbs. I imagine that was with the 350 motor and automatic, but dont know what rear gear, but it probably wouldnt matter, plenty of torque! BUT dont expect to trailer the car AND a full load of tools, plus luggage, coolers :beer and 4 of your best friends in the car also, it WILL definatley be overloaded (the chassis will be) you'll still need another vehicle for other stuff, AND you'll need a frame hitch. I used to tow a 18' Sea Ray with my 71 GS and nooooooooooo probs! Mark
I've heard that the V-6 3800's had a problem with the bolt coming loose and the balancer getting sloppy or worse - comiing off! Haven't heard of it with a 350 personally, but it's not real suprising. Any damage to the keyway or the crank snout? Scott
Nope The outer ring of the balancer came off, and not the whoel balancer, so the internal sof the balancer stayed with the crank, not damaging anything but scratching the living hell out of my new T-cover. Naturally, on a normal car, changing the balancer is as easy as one bolt and your in business. I had to remove the entire front end of the assembly to get to the darn thing. Radiator, Shroud, Fans... and more fans..... then I broke the socket trying to remove that bolt. Which meant a trip to the bathroom for band-aids.... :stmad: Oh, who am I kidding, a bandaid in my house is apaper towel wrapped with masking tape. Gotta love us doit yourselfers. I am probably not going to tow the thing there unless I can get a piggy back from someone else going from FL to the Nats. I will have my tow vehicle next year, so no excuses next time. I may still drive the Skylark cross country just to see some friends and meet everybody. Always a good time! -Jon
Crank bolt tip Jon, All you need to do to remove that balancer bolt is a breaker bar and the right socket. Put the socket on the bolt and brace the breaker bar against the floor and than crank the motor (disable the ignition). The starter will loosen the bolt.
Thanks Larry Thanks Larry, I was using a breaker bar, but it wasn't an impact socket, and the socket exploded. I got a better one the next day, and it came loose. Its all ready for the weekend. I have so many parts to look for at the yard this weekend. Should be fun.. and expensive! I think the best line I have read on here, (and I cant remember whos catch phrase it was) was "If you had all the money you spent on cars, youd still spend it on cars". That is SO true! Everyone thinks I am crazy, cause I could be playing golf with that money...... I'm not good at golf, I can drink beer in my pool and not spend 60 a game doing it. -Jon
