[The Bullet]

I have a 454 (cam, headers, intake, HEI etc) and is driven by a Muncie M-21. I have a fairly new CenterForce Street and Strip clutch. I have developed a strong vibration that seems to increase at around 2,000 rpms.
I have also noticed an increase of "drag" when I start the car (has a mini starter).

I am wondering if the harmonic balancer needs to be replaced?

 

[Mike]

You use the same flywheel or is it a new one replaced with the clutch?
You can check to see if the balancer has spun by seeing if the crank keyway and TDC mark are lined up.

 

[The Bullet]

the same Flywheel was used but re-surfaced.

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

the same Flywheel was used but re-surfaced.

Did you mark the location you removed it from or was there a dowel locating pin on the crank?

454 is externally balanced. Flywheel must be located in the correct place to balance the engine.

You did install a pilot bushing into the flywheel?

Next? Might need to check alignment of bellhousing. If it's off, the clutch disc will be off center and could cause a vibration.

Does the vibration exist when the engine is revved up in neutral with the clutch engaged. (Pedal all the way up)

Does the vibration exist when the engine is revved up in neutral with your foot on the clutch to the floor?

 

[engineguy]

Problems with the harmonic "balancer" should not cause a strong vibration. As earlier posts have suggested, check your flywheel/clutch assembly carefully - including the pilot bearing/bushing, etc.

 

[Andy's Auto Repair]

Def could be the balancer. I have an 89 GT in the shop right now with a swapped out engine and a vibration at 2500 that is so bad you can't see out the rearview. I ordered a replacement from Ford and sure enough, the weight was in the outer ring, it has spun, and was right at 80 degrees off. Put the replacent on, fired it up, perfect.

But a fo-fiddy-fo has the weight in the hub, not the outer ring. I would be looking at the flywheel. There is a locater pin that is not installed in many aftermarket cranks so you almost have to look for a shadow where the seventh hole would be. If the locater pin is there, make sure the flywheel has the weight built on.

 

[The Bullet]

The clutch was installed by a very well known shop where I live. The shop has been on Hot Rod TV and was installed a couple of years ago. The vibration does not effect the driving, it just is an irrating vibration/rattling sound. It seems to make the the same noise if in gear or in neutral. It seems to get to a higher pitch as the car moves. Just had new headers put on the car and the shop (not the same shop-and one I do not really trust) suggested that I should replace the Harmonic balancer and also have the clutch looked at-"as it could be the throw out bearing going bad". The car is running good and am just "bugged" by this noise.

 

[71350SS]

Do you feel the vibration ? or just hear the vibration ?
That would make a huge difference in whats wrong with the car.Also did it start after clutch replacement or did it just appear later on?

 

[The Bullet]

I do not feel the vibration, just pretty much hear it. This has just started about a month ago.