I am building a 350 to replace the 307 in my 70 Chevelle. I am wondering, what would be a good balancer to buy? I am adding power steering with this kit: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clp-cpp70psk
I don't think I need a balancer with a pulley - so I am just wondering what do you all recommend?
You're still going to need a pulley to drive the power steering pump, not to mention your water pump and alternator.
There are a lot of harmonic dampers (balancers) that will fit your application - the pulley is a separate piece that is typically either a two or three groove (three for A/C). I would think the pulley from your 307 will work with whatever damper you decide on.
All Chevy small block harmonic balancers (except 1955-56) have the same 3-bolt pattern on the spokes for attachment of ANY pulley (1-2-3 groove).
The 307 engines which I am familiar with that had pwr str, had a 6in balancer. The 350 engines that I'm familiar with had an 8in balancer----------------AND WILL NOT CLEAR THE STOCK 307 PWR STR PUMP BRACKET.
Soooooooooo, what we did when replacing a 307 with pwr str, to a 350 with 8in balancer, was to slightly modify the lower PS pump bracket by notching it and then welding a piece of flat steel to reinforce it where it had a section cut off.
Below is a PS pump bracket from my son's 68 that had a 307 and we modified it to clear the larger 350 balancer.
The first picture is the modified bracket.
The second picture shows where an area was cut out (red pencil) and the steel plate that was welded in for support (blue pencil).
The third picture shows how the larger 350 balancer will now clear the PS pump bracket.
The L79 engines (hi-perf 327) would have a different PS pump bracket which would allow the larger balancer to clear. But I don't have a picture of an L79 bracket.
This is gold guys, thank you so much! I think I am going to try the smaller balancer. I am hoping my retrofit kit comes with a power steering bracket...if not then I have some searching to do. Or some soul searching to do decide if it is important enough for the effort lol.
I put a 350 with an 8" balancer in a 1966 Caprice with my son. It took just a little grinding on the power steering pump bracket and everything worked fine.
I think you are taking on a lot all at once so maybe get the replacement engine in and running then do the PS upgrade at a later date.Just because the engine is out doesn't make a steering box upgrade any easier.This also gives you time to choose a better PS box than the stock one from summit and time to find some PS brackets too.
One of the things that TC(as a whole) has came up with are great resources in OE candidates for P/S swap upgrades such as the Jeep grand Cherokee box,the 2nd & 3rd Gen Trans Am & Z28 Camaro
and 83-87 MonteCarlo SS,Olds 442 and Buick Grand National steering boxes plus there are many other boxes that will work too.
And it's 1 less thing to worry about on your engines 1st start up.
Not sure how crazy of a 350 you are building but I would not be at all afraid of using the smaller balancer and not have to worry about grinding or modifying stuff. The circle track guys use 7" and even a 6 3/4" lightweight damper for less rotating weight. I would say that on the majority of street engines the small damper will not make a bit of difference.
Millions of 350 powered cars & trucks in junk yards that came from the factory with power steering, couldn't you get whatever brackets and mounting hardware there?
Check fit, clean & paint, and X10 on the later model steering box for a modern feel steering system
I tend to get over-excited about things and really get scattered. You all are right. I am taking on too much at one time. I need to focus on the engine rebuild and that alone. If I blow up my transmission, just something else I get to work on, same with rear! I want power steering, but I like this idea of using factory type parts or used parts.,
Can one of you all hook me up with a link to a write up on this jeep conversion? I am all about restomod - so I love this idea. I will send the kit back I got post haste, as well as my power brake kit. I really just wanted power steering - power brakes are fine but it is not something that I NEED. When I got my license in 2001 my first real driveable car was 1967 Chrysler Newport with manual drum brakes - NEVER had a problem - I actually thought it stopped GREAT as I had all the drums balanced and pressures even.
So, I want to THANK you all again - and I wanted to ask about a link or some links to a conversion post - I have looked and I am finding breadcrumbs, I am hoping there is a more comprehensive posting on this jeep box conversion.
Not sure how crazy of a 350 you are building but I would not be at all afraid of using the smaller balancer and not have to worry about grinding or modifying stuff. The circle track guys use 7" and even a 6 3/4" lightweight damper for less rotating weight. I would say that on the majority of street engines the small damper will not make a bit of difference.
Millions of 350 powered cars & trucks in junk yards that came from the factory with power steering, couldn't you get whatever brackets and mounting hardware there?
Check fit, clean & paint, and X10 on the later model steering box for a modern feel steering system
wait before you send that kit back lets see what you got,maybe you got lucky and got a good st box.Any part numbers or distinguishing features on the box itself.
Hrere's the link to the JGCherokee box swap.
Thank you very much! I know the kit looks kinda weird, not sure if it is just a stock picture or what. I sent them a few questions. I am still thinking about sending it back and maybe trying again later or picking up on this jeep box project.
^^^ open the box up and see if the steering gear box looks anything like one of the links I sent you from Rockauto.Also read that article there is a part # that should be on the gearbox if its a 2.5 -3 turn box,you never know you may have gotten lucky.
FWIW that kit is a lot more expensive than buying it part by part so sending it back should save you some money.
Send that overpriced chinesium kit back to CPP & do some real hot rodding. Retrofit a Jeep box or have someone like Tom Mobely convert a stock Chevelle box into a fast ratio box for you.
Okay,
I have been reading war and peace lol. A member was able to hook me up with pulleys and brackets. However, I still need a rag joint, steering box, hoses, pump and pump hoses - fittings I suppose as well.
The more I read, the deeper it gets. So far I have found:
Do these two look right? Can someone help me out with an idea for a stock pump, pulley for the pump (AC pully if required), what hoses I need, as well as the fittings are needed, and of course a pitman arm. I don't want to buy a bunch of random parts and have a mess. This is going on me 1970 Chevelle, the brackets and pulleys are ac - planning for cool air in the future.
If you are planning to add A/C in the future you may want to research Vintage Air (and those AC type company's) to see if their A/C retrofit kit comes with pulleys along with the compressor they supply. If so you may not need the stock pieces.
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