Thread: Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt

Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1 Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    N. California
    Posts
    106
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I need to install a new harmonic balancer after replacing the crank position sensor, water pump and supercharger isolator. I know the hack mechanic method of using the old crankshaft bolt (I have a new one also due to torque-to-yield) is verboten on nearly all engines as it can damage the crankshaft threads. Typically a harmonic balancer installation tool is used, which is basically a long stud and a thick nut used to pull the balancer onto the crank so as to not stress the crankshaft threads.

    However, as I look for such a tool that fits the giant threads in the 3.8L SC (I measured 18.8mm, 3/4" (?) across the threads), and am having some difficulty finding the matching tool. Can anybody confirm the crank bolt thread diameter (obviously fine pitch), as well as a tool that might be available. Locally from Autozone or similar same-day would be great, but reality may force me to wait for shipment.
    Lifespeed
    2001 GTP
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,919
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    i used the old bolt and put my balancer on a good 5 - 6 times. and im using the old bolt to hold it all together. really aint a big deal. used a air gun too.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    N. California
    Posts
    106
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    i used the old bolt and put my balancer on a good 5 - 6 times. and im using the old bolt to hold it all together. really aint a big deal. used a air gun too.
    Yeah, I know. Just not the way I do things, with my luck the threads would strip.
    Lifespeed
    2001 GTP
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,919
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    if good ol billboost pops in, hes gonna tell ya the same, air gun, bap! done, next. im sure hes got over 20 crank sensors under his belt.

    the only bolts you really cant reuse are head bolts, everything else 100% reusable.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt 
    GTX Level Member wstefan20's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Raytown, MO
    Posts
    1,152
    Thanks (Received)
    33
    Likes (Received)
    63
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    I agree with Scotty on the air gun.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    N. California
    Posts
    106
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I air gunned it. Oiled the old bolt, 3/4" fine thread is unusually strong for a balancer bolt. New balancer as well, rubber was starting to separate on the old one. Angle-torqued the new bolt per the service manual. Hope the CKP sensor was the culprit.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt 
    GXP Level Member GTPpower's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Schuyler, NE
    Posts
    2,972
    Thanks (Received)
    8
    Likes (Received)
    23
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    You put loctite on the bolt right?


    2001 GTP Drag Car - XPZ, Tischler heads, Upsidedown M90 IC'd, e85, Gen V, 2.3 w/ 5%OD
    2005 F350 6.0 - studded, deleted, tuned
    2001 GTP - cam, headers, nitrous, stock trans - 11.83 @ 116 <$2k in mods - sold
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: Harmonic balancer installation, tool and thread size for crank bolt 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    N. California
    Posts
    106
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    No loctite, just new bolt and proper torque procedure.
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. Harmonic balancer bolt size
    By 99prixgt in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-10-2013, 08:51 PM
  2. Harmonic Balancer Bolt Removal
    By h0wl0ngcanitbe in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 09-29-2012, 09:35 AM
  3. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-30-2012, 05:28 PM
  4. How do you get the crank pulley/harmonic balancer off???
    By comongoose in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 03-12-2011, 11:08 PM
  5. How to hold Harmonic Balancer Still to Remove Crank Bolt?
    By pontiackid in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 05-16-2009, 09:00 PM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •