VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 A/C on …55

I’m planning to add Vintage Air to my 55 hardtop. I understand this will involve changing harmonic balancer and crank pulley for 2 belts. Engine is 265. What size balancer is required? Off of 283? Will I have to install with sledge hammer?
Thanks,
Sid

The balancer you have stays in place The belt pulley, which is bolts to the balancer is changed. What parts will be required should be listed in the AC kit instructions.

Thanks Gene. I really didn’t want to deal with the balancer. I guess any 2 groove pulley for short water pump would work? Thanks, Sid

I just looked in the manual (should have looked there first). It appears from pictures in the manual that the harmonic balancer and crank pulley are together as one part. If so I’m back to planning to remove radiator, remove harmonic balancer, install later harmonic balancer and later 2 groove pulley. Am I correct? A 265 crank is not drilled and threaded for installation of balancer. Correct? I have a balancer for a 305 that is 6 inches in diameter. Will it work?
Sid

You are correct. The pulley is riveted to the balancer. I was going by my '57 where the balancer pulley is bolted on.
The 305 balncer will fit and probably work except balancers are tuned for individual engines.

265 ci sbc's didnt have their crankshafts drilled and tapped for a faster. mike

I drilled and tapped a hole in the crank shaft of my '57 and the balancer can be pulled on with a bolt. I did it because the balancer did not fit tight and would slowly crawl off.
The much later engines did have a bolt.

Is it possible to drill and tap with engine still in car? Looks like it would be very difficult. Re: the balancer, would one from a 283 be the closest match? I know my engine is bored to 283 because the paperwork on engine rebuild says it has 283 pistons. Would using the 307 balancer create balance issues? Thanks.
Sid

The parts book lists 1955-1964 283 or 327 balnncers as being the same. It is a later balancer replacing the original 1955-1956 balancer and does not come with a pulley. A two grove pulley (bolt on type) then could be bolted on.
It is not necessary to use a sledge hammer to install the balancer. They drive back on the just a large hammer and easier than you would think.
The balancer has nothing to do with balancing the engine parts. It dampems the engine harmonics to make the engine feel smoother. The 1961 and 1962 base 283 did not even come with a balancer.

If balancer works for 283 and 327 then maybe my 307 balancer would be just as good? It is approx 6” in diameter.
Sid

You originally said a 305 engine which is a much later engine....if it is from a 307 it will be OK.

Sorry Gene. Don’t know how I managed to punch in 305 instead of 307. Thanks for the help.
Sid