[dreis454]

Ok I just completed A cam change in my 454. When installing the balancer I noticed that
1. It was going in very hard
2. when the balancer is seated properly, the drive belts will no longer line up correctly.
3. I pulled the balancer back out & there was no marks on it where the timing cover seal was riding on the balancer.
4. When the baalancer is installed so the belts line up, The timing tab on the cover is barely next to the balancer.

Before the cam change the belts lined up & the engine did not leak oil & now I can't remember what the position of the pointer in relation to the balancer was.

At this point I have to beleive that the balancer was not fullt seated to maintain belt alignment because of the lack of a seal mark on the balancer.

Anyone ever seen this before?

[GetMore]

On my small blocks the timing pointers go out to the edge of the balancer. Seems really stupid, but that's how they are.

Are you sure your crank gear is seated properly?

[Just_Another_Mike]

Are you using a balancer installation tool? I hope so. If you are whacking it in with a piece of wood to absorb the shock of the iron mallet, I can understand all of your problems. As for #3, you shouldn't see any markings unless you put lube or some other goop on the seal or the outside of the balancer. I don't understand question #4.

Mike

[dreis454]

Good ideas but I am using a installtion tool & the gear is seated. I have done this numerous times before but I've never seen this... I put it back together the way it was & it runs great & no oil leaks. It just doesn't look right to me.

[LevonH]

Are you sure the crank gear is on the correct way? The raised shoulder may be stopping the balancer if backwards.

Or has the crank key "cocked" which would only allow limited travel?

[Just_Another_Mike]

Well, if it runs good and the belts aren't crooked or being thrown, I wouldn't worry. The last time I used a stock timing cover on a BB, I do remember that when the balancer was all the way on, the timing mark tab edges were practically unreadable at the front edge of the balancer. However, at a angle, I could get a gun on the mark and set the timing.

Mike