JustinJ94FSB
Newbie
I just finished doing intake manifold gaskets, and a bunch of other gaskets along the way. Got it all put back together and when i was setting the timing i noticed my harmonic balancer wobbling quite a bit. I did some research and it sounds like it is not good to continue driving it like this. Fast forward to now, I have removed my balancer with a puller tool i rented at autozone. I pressed on the new balancer (GM Genuine part #6272222) using the balancer installer tool i also rented. The installer tool is the type with the fitting that you thread into the crank snout and it has a bearing and giant nut and threaded rod, and tightening the big nut presses the balancer on. I greased up the installer tool as well as all the areas where the balancer will be pressing into. I used synthetic bearing grease. I am at a point where i feel like i dont want to keep trying to push it on any further out of fear of stripping my crank snout threads, but after bolting the pulley onto the balancer, i cannot get the bolt/washer to tighten into the crank snout and secure the harmonic balancer. If i put a ratchet on it, it just gets barely more than finger tight and then loose again. like it cant get enough threads to bite onto.
I am wondering how far does the harmonic balancer get pressed on? i put a borescope camera down into the engine bay and i can tell there is like 3/8ths to maybe 1/2" of harmonic balancer shaft that has not been pressed in. But every angle i look, it seems like if i go that far in, my serpentine belt wont work because the pulley down there will be pressed in so far. Also, how do i tell when it has been pressed in as far as it needs to be? I got a haynes manual and it barely even mentions this part. Ive looked on youtube and everyone just says "ok press it on till its seated properly" ok and now you're all done congrats.
also, maybe noteworth. There is, what appears to be, remnants of silicone RTV on the end of the old balancer shaft. Would it be possible for there to be enough RTV goo, at the base of the hole the balancer shaft is being pressed into and it cant seat where it should? Just throwing everything out there that i can. Maybe i just didnt tighten it enough. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and i am happy i am doing it because i am gaining so much knowledge. But ive hit a speed bump here that has my anxiety/fears taking over. Sorry for the mega post, i can never keep them short no matter how hard i try
I am wondering how far does the harmonic balancer get pressed on? i put a borescope camera down into the engine bay and i can tell there is like 3/8ths to maybe 1/2" of harmonic balancer shaft that has not been pressed in. But every angle i look, it seems like if i go that far in, my serpentine belt wont work because the pulley down there will be pressed in so far. Also, how do i tell when it has been pressed in as far as it needs to be? I got a haynes manual and it barely even mentions this part. Ive looked on youtube and everyone just says "ok press it on till its seated properly" ok and now you're all done congrats.
also, maybe noteworth. There is, what appears to be, remnants of silicone RTV on the end of the old balancer shaft. Would it be possible for there to be enough RTV goo, at the base of the hole the balancer shaft is being pressed into and it cant seat where it should? Just throwing everything out there that i can. Maybe i just didnt tighten it enough. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and i am happy i am doing it because i am gaining so much knowledge. But ive hit a speed bump here that has my anxiety/fears taking over. Sorry for the mega post, i can never keep them short no matter how hard i try