[chrisstandring]

My brother has a 327 that needs a new balancer. He doesn't want to spend megabucks on an ATI and the preference is for a factory GM item. I am looking for an 8 in x 1-11/16 in. heavy balancer like what was used ion the L79 327 or LT-1 350. We don't care about the timing mark position (early / late) because we can sort out the appropriate timing tab to use.

GM Performance Parts has what I am looking for (Small Block Balancer). So far they have not replied to my email sent last week so I am guessing they are not interested in business with a Kiwi. I suppose I could phone them - they can't ignore me then!

Alternatively I have sourced a Pioneer 8in balancer locally. Are Pioneer any good? Or should I keep looking?

I don't want to go down the rebuild route because the only one I had rebuilt failed after a short time.

 

[BillK]

The Pioneer ones are pretty decent. I have used a ton of them over the years and never had a problem. If you are going to be really beating on the engine there are some medium priced SFI ones that look original. The Powerbond street performance ones are pretty decent and look pretty close to original.

 

[billdini]

Hi first thing to take into account is my 68 L79 timing cover is different from other 327’s to handle the larger balancer. It is welded to the cover but you can buy a bolt on pointer. Not that it is bad thing but you should be aware it will be obvious if you want it to look like a 68 L79

Bill

 

[chrisstandring]

Thanks Bill and Bill. Good to know about the Pioneer items. In terms of looks - that would be coincidental at best. It is in a 1979 Holden Sunbird - google it. The heads are early 1970's smoggers that came with generic chrome valve covers - although I have put a pair of LT-1 / Corvette style GM cast aluminium valve covers on. It has a 305 / 350 6.75 in balancer with a spun outer ring. So been around the block a few times. However it is a small journal block that decodes to an L79 and the crank has a draw bolt in the snout. So either it is a hi-po L79 crank or somebody drilled and tapped it at some stage. Or maybe somebody cut the main journals of a 350 crank down - although I highly doubt anybody would go to that trouble - especially when you could just go get a 350 block instead. We can always measure the stroke or have a gander at the crank flange some time.

 

[Malibu ss 64]

Powerbond or pro race(both made in australia)😉. Powerbond makes some of the pioneer both SFI and mon SFI.
SFI

CHEVROLET PowerBond PB1046SS PowerBond Race Performance Harmonic Balancers | Summit Racing

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street

CHEVROLET PowerBond PB1046ST PowerBond Street Performance Harmonic Balancers | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - PowerBond Street Performance Harmonic Balancers with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Harmonic Balancers at Summit Racing.

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oem replacement

PowerBond PB1046N PowerBond Premium OEM Replacement Harmonic Balancers | Summit Racing

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Rockauto has the street version for ~100$

DAYCO PB1046ST Harmonic Balancer | RockAuto

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Not sure of you can find them cheaper from Australia?

 

[chrisstandring]

The Pioneer ones are pretty decent. I have used a ton of them over the years and never had a problem. If you are going to be really beating on the engine there are some medium priced SFI ones that look original. The Powerbond street performance ones are pretty decent and look pretty close to original.

Hey @BillK , with your experience with Pioneer and Powerbond have you ever found the need to get them honed first or do they generally go straight on out of the box?

 

[Malibu ss 64]

Im not Billk but my experience is that they always fit good on oem cranks but sometimes they are tight on aftermarket cranks.

 

[billdini]

Thanks Bill and Bill. Good to know about the Pioneer items. In terms of looks - that would be coincidental at best. It is in a 1979 Holden Sunbird - google it. The heads are early 1970's smoggers that came with generic chrome valve covers - although I have put a pair of LT-1 / Corvette style GM cast aluminium valve covers on. It has a 305 / 350 6.75 in balancer with a spun outer ring. So been around the block a few times. However it is a small journal block that decodes to an L79 and the crank has a draw bolt in the snout. So either it is a hi-po L79 crank or somebody drilled and tapped it at some stage. Or maybe somebody cut the main journals of a 350 crank down - although I highly doubt anybody would go to that trouble - especially when you could just go get a 350 block instead. We can always measure the stroke or have a gander at the crank flange some time.

I am a bit confused. What year block do you have? My 68 L79 uses a large journal forged crank and uses the 8 inch balancer. 67 and earlier 327's were small journal forged (all 327's) so are you sure you have a small journal? The pre 1967 L79 did have a 8 inch balancer? Not sure about other Corvette high PO 327's, probably but L79 Rich would know for sure.

 

[chrisstandring]

I am a bit confused. What year block do you have? My 68 L79 uses a large journal forged crank and uses the 8 inch balancer. 67 and earlier 327's were small journal forged (all 327's) so are you sure you have a small journal? The pre 1967 L79 did have a 8 inch balancer? Not sure about other Corvette high PO 327's, probably but L79 Rich would know for sure.

Block number is 3903352 which is 1964 - 1967 327. That is a small journal with steel crank.
Block date code is G 5 6 which is July 5 1966. That would indicate 1966 model year.