I am going to purchase a new SFI balancer and wanted to get some input on which one to buy. I have a 494 BBB with a T/A front cover and a block girdle and would like one that fits without having to do any grinding. Price is not an issue as I have too much invested in the motor to cut a corner there. Thanks in advance for your advice. Shawn Carlin
You need to consider what you will be attaching to the balancer, the ATI is not a Buick bolt pattern, I think its Chevy, that could screw things up for you, pulleys, manderal drives, or not. Also, pretty sure that you'd need to do some trimming of the timing tab for the ATI to clear. The Romac is SFI, but you'd need to do alittle trimming on the timing cover/ girdle spacer, just to have a gap, it's a tight fit.Also uses a longer bolt. The BHJs' from TA are Buick, Int. or Ext. Bal., and use the Buick bolt pattern. Like ya said when ya spend alot on the motor, you can't go cheap on the balancer, not that any of the are cheap, ROMAC is like $300, the BHJs' are about $450, ATI, I'm not sure, gotta be at least $300. Maybe this info. can help in your decision. Gary G.
Shawn, I have a couple of ATI balancers that I use on my 494 and they fit nice without any grinding on my crank or cover. They do make several models for the BBB and mine are internal balance. I use a Moroso BBC pulley on the balancer (cheaper than for a BBB but needs the center hole made a little larger). Mike
I want to use my pulley because it is a serpentine setup. Has anyone used or heard about the economy SFI flexplate that T/A has. Shawn
Shawn I got my Romac balancer from maddog racing off of ebay. at the time I think they were going for 253.00. I checked there website a while back and I saw 259.00. I couldn't pull it up today. I've heard pro's and con's on them. I just went with what I felt comfortable with.
Romac balancer I have a Romac that I'm going to use on my 464 with a stock cover...am I going to have to modify my front cover for it..if so,what do I do? ...and what was the thing about the balancer bolt..what do I buy to make it right?...thanks,fish
OK Fish, the ROMAC when fully seated is super close to rubbing on the timing cover "lip", and yes the bolt is longer, I can't remember how much longer. To give the balancer alittle room, trim the cover on the lip area between the 2 front oil pan bolt holes, and trim the bolt bosses alittle, now for the longer bolt, I found a store specializing in hardware, and they had the same grade as stock, that was longer, how much longer is what I don't remember, hopefully someone will jump in with that info., or see if you can figure it out by comparing the two. One more thing, if you don't have a balancer installation tool, when ya find that longer bal. bolt for the ROMAC, just buy an even longer one to pull the bal. on enough to use the required long one to hold it on, make sense?? Good luck Gary G.
Thanks for the info Bad Ok I can deal with trimming a little,just didnt want to booger up a good cover by not knowing what I'm doin. So,the Romac is an interference fit and I need a longer bolt,and an even longer one for installing the balancer...cool...thanks Badbuik...fish
Gary this is some good info. This is something that I never show covered in other post on Romac balancers. Thanks!!! Mike do you have a part # for the moroso BBC crank pulley? Also where there any alignment issues?
64210 Terrance, the Moroso pulley I use with my ATI dampers is a #64210 with 2 deep grooves and it is underdrive. The center section needs to be larger to fit the ATI Buick piece but any machine shop can do it in a couple of minutes or you may be able to do it yourself (looks and fits best if done on a lathe). I do not have any problems with belt alignment but I don't use the AC or PS so I don't know for sure if they will work. Mike carcrazy455@yahoo.com
Fish, You need a 2" long bolt for the Romac. My cover did not need to be trimmed, it has no girdle. My other engine has an ATI external balance, I had to trim the timing tab about an 1/8". The Romac is a pretty nice simple piece. Jeff
Jeff thanx for the info..every bit is well appreciated..its gonna get worse..so get ready...fish :TU: :TU:
I guess the BHJ is the way to go for my application. My post got crashed by Fish so I kinda got lost . Glad to see that we both got the help we needed.
I guess it's your choice, the ROMAC is cheaper, and SFI, but the BHJ is too, but cost more. Both will do the same thing. I ran the ROMAC on my last combo. 470 ci, 13.5 to comp. plus 200 shot of nitrous, 9.30 @ 140+ , and I'm using it on the current 470. I do have a BHJ, internal bal. unit to be used with my Moldex crank, and hopefully the after market block. Good luck. Gary G.
Thanks Gary. I just want a SFI balancer that will go on with no mods to my front cover . I do have a girdle and if the Romac would work that would be great. I am going to purchase this , along with a few other items tomarrow. Thanks, Shawn
Shawn, just spend the extra money and get the SFI BHJ external balancer. Part numer BU-EB455-7. (510) 797-6780. You get what you pay for. It has the same general dimensions as the factory balancer. You will be happy with the Steel Billet finish, just wipe it down with acetone and spray it with a quality clear paint to maintain its luster. I'll post a pic later.
That's another thing about both balancers, "you'll be happy with its steel billet finish", that is until you aim a timing light at it!! You'll wish that you painted it........... Gary G.
