wheelman Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 OK, I've got a new cam and valve springs installed in my LT1 and I'm trying to get the damn harmonic balancer hub back on. What is the F-ing secret to this. I've tried using anti-seize and I bought an install tool that said it was for small or big block chevys. Turned out the tool won't work because the threaded stud on the end barely reaches through the hub itself let alone to the crank. So I decided to try using the bolt to put it back on, applied anti-seize to the inside of the hub and the nose of the crank and started tightening it down. It appeared to be going on and then got tight so I cranked a little and then backed out the bolt to make sure it wasn't stripping or over torqueing (yes I already busted one bolt trying to do this without anti-sieze). Sure enough it was stripped. Now I'm thinking Holy Shit the F-ing crank threads are probably stripped as well. How the hell am I going to get this thing on without taking it to a machine shop to have them do it. Anyway sorry for the langauge but I really hate it when things like this happen. It's not like I'm putting an after market part on that doesn't fit, this is the hub that came off the engine when I tore it down to swap the cam. Any suggestions!!! Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Mine was a bitch too, I heated it up to 250 degrees, grabbed the mittens and pushed it on then tightened it down using a long bolt, removed the long bolt and finished the job with the proper bolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolane Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I assume you have a harmonic balancer install tool, right? I am not familiar with the LT1 specifically, but on the earlier small blocks the tool is not optional. Do not use the center bolt for pulling this in (as you have found out, you can really mess up the crankshaft threads). I have a moroso tool from Summit, but Snap-On has them also. The Moroso one works great and the threaded portion is plenty long enough for an earlier SBC. I know this doesn't really help, but please don't hammer on the balancer either. With the correct tool, it should go right on. I would recommend checking the tool you already have and making sure it is properly assembled. Does it have an adapter that threads into a larger threaded shaft? At the worse case, stop and talk to a local engine shop before going further. You may have to helicoil the crankshaft threads, or something like that, if they are stripped now. Sorry I can't be of more help...I feel your pain (I struggled with mine until I bought the right tool). Now it takes about 5 minutes to install if I take my time... Joshua Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleeper-Z Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 yeah, never use the bolt to tighten or ever use a hammer, even if it's a dead soft or mallet... your best hope is if it can be HeliCoiled... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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