Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 292 balancer

hi- can someone help me with a harmonic balancer problem/question? I'm building a 292 and the balancer I'm using (6-3/4 approx. diameter) does not match the timing mark on the timing cover (WAY OFF). Is it possible this is the wrong balancer?? I've been told there were a couple different versions of the balancer and some had the timing mark in a different location so you could see it easier if installed in a van application........ anyhow, if this is the wrong one, can I just find TDC and remark it???

Is this the same balancer as on a SBC??


please help......... thanks

In short, Yes, you can put a new mark on the balancer to align with the TDC mark on your timing tab. Obviously you need to have the engine at exact TDC and then mark the balancer with a pencil, remove it and cut an accurate groove across the damper with a hacksaw. I would also suggest marking that line TDC or 0 with a set of number and letter stamps and running a contrasting color paint into the new groove so it is easily seen. Leave the old mark the same color as the rest of the damper.

Before you go through all that give the damper a very close inspection. If the elastimer ring is cracked or otherwise not like new then in the long run you'd be better off getting a new damper with the correct timing mark on it. Groove worn in the hub from the front seal can be repaired with a slip on repair piece. It is the repair kit as the SBC uses. I've used them a lot and have no problems with them on street and mild performance engines of all types.

Mike

mike- thanks much for your reply. Yes, the damper material is somewhat weathered. I suspect this balancer can be used as is, but is obviously not the correct one. All things considered, I think replacing it is the best solution. I'm still curious as to why the mark is so far off; do you know whether there were different balancer versions used which may have had the timing marks in different places?? This would obviously mean the timing cover "tab" which has the timing marks on it would have to match the type of balancer being used.

Timing tabs also can be in 2 different positions depending on vintage. Early L6s have the timing tab at 3 O'clock [front view] and the later ones [late'70s on ?] are up at 11 O'clock. I found this out when I had to R&R the timing gear cover. In my case -- '67-'68 292 -- I had to cut off the timing tab from a later (blue) cover and cut out the tab from the old (orange) cover -- including 2 bolt holes -- and superimpose it over the new gear cover.

that's interesting......... the damper I have is one of the massive 3 groove versions and it has a timing mark which is about 10 or 11 O'clock position. It seems hard to believe the outer ring could have slipped that much. Not to worry, I'm going to have this one rebuilt to match my existing timing mark, which is the later (blue) type