VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Take off the Harmonic Balancer

Dear Chevy Experts,

I will inspect the Fiber Gear Wheel behind the Timing Cover.
How do you dismantle the Harmonic Balancer form the Crankshaft ?

Many Thanks in advance for your help.
Greetings Cor Hulkenberg, The Netherlands.
E-mail: corhulkenberg@msn.com

The balancer is removed with a puller that attaches to the balancer with two screws in the center section of the balancer (there should be some threaded holes in the center section). The "U" shaped remover has a center large screw that pushes against the end of the crankshaft. Don't use a puller that pulls on the outer diameter of the pulley it will damage the balancer, You can see the puller in the shop manual. The Kent-Moore special tool is # N-373 and is used on all the 1930 through 1936 engines.

I would have used "bolts" instead of "screws" in the description of the puller.

I should have machine screws or hex bolts; me and my short cuts.

Here's one to give you the idea:

http://store.yahoo.com/brandsplace/0246-kd-2291.html

Don't forget you'll need a gasket when you put the cover back on..

I wouldn't bother to inspect the fiber gear - I would replace it.The stripping of the fiber gear is the most common failure in the 6 cyl. Chevrolet engine.Would also replace the steel gear.
The lack of oil is what usually leads to the failure.The oil passage behind the front mounting plate fills with sludge preventing oil from feeding the timing gear oil nozzel.Would remove the plate and do the job right the first time.

Amen!, Brother Gene!
And you can get a harmonic balancer puller at most any Auto Parts store, the one I have the puller bar looks like a chicken foot with three slots for the attachment BOLTS . I used a Dremel grinder to make the slots so that it can also pull steering wheels.

Splendid ! Thanks Chevy Gentlemen !
Very Kind your help !

New quistion: is it possible that I with the puller the Harmonic Balancer take of from the Crankshaft ?
There are no Security bolds or so ?

Can I fit a modern Oil Seal in stead a Feltring in the Timing Cover ?

How fit the Harmonic Balancer on the Crankshaft back ?

There is no security bolt.Is held on by friction.Can be installed with a hammer (large)...don't pound on the outter part.

If you make your own gasket for behind the front plate, make sure it is cut out where the oil channel is machined into the back of the plate. When I got my '35 it had a home made gasket that wasn't cut out where the groove is. It gradually expanded and cut off the oil flow to the gear.

Are you pulling the camshaft out to replace the gear or are you going to replace it with the cam in? It can be quite a job to change the gear if you aren't pulling the cam...

On my '31 I have both the camshaft gear and fiber timing gear on plus the crankshaft oil thrower on. What type of seal is used between the oil thrower and the cover for these gears? Is it the felt type one with the metal in between that I got with the complete kit and if so do you have to lubricate it when you put it on? Just want to make sure. Thanks

Only the 1935-36 timing gear cover has the felt seal.1929-34 had only a slinger.The 1935-36 cover can be installed on the previous years.
My 1934 has the original cover with no seal and does not leak....even though it has the later replacement gear type oil pump and holds 20 lbs. pressure at 50 MPH.

Thanks Chevgene,
I know there wasn't any seal on there when I took it off but a seal came with the gaskets so I figured it might go on there. Will put the slinger or oil thrower on with out it. Just one dumb question. On the plate behind the 2 gears that mounts onto the motor, there are 3 holes at the bottom without theads. I know the bottom one is used to bolt on the lock for the main bearing bolts but what are the other 2 for? I don't remember taking anything off but they look like they are machined on the block for something. Maybe the motor mount but there is already a bolt sticking down for that? All my mounts were shot so have to find new ones.
jerrygolf

The front motor mount(S) carriage bolts were are located in the square holes in the bottom of the front plate in the two outboard positions outside the front timing gear cover at the bottom of the plate (after the 90 degree bend). There are some holes behind the crankshaft timing gear that are for oil return to the pan.

jim you are on the wrong holes . to answer the question all three cap screws screw into the timing gear cover the center holes the front main bearing cap lock in most cases these bolts will not come out unless they have been shorten they can be unscrewed to take the timing gear cover off

Thanks guys, I got it now.
jerrygolf

"Maybe the motor mount but there is already a bolt sticking down for that? All my mounts were shot so have to find new ones."

Jerrygolf.....on your '31 there are no rubber motor mounts. Your engine bolts directly to the frame. The first year for rubber motor mounts was 1932.

Thanks JYD,
Just checked with Chipper and Bruce for motor mounts and got the same answer which surprised me. I thought I lost them after having the motor out for 2 years but now I know.
jerrygolf