Something isn't right with the harmonic balancer. Hate to say it, but I'd pull it again and see why it's so far back. Unless your tab is wrong and sticking too far out, but with the pulley issue I'd sure chaeck it.

 

The balancer isn't too far back. I don't think it back far enough. I could bend the tab. I'm more worried about the water pump pulley being farther back than the crank pulley. I pulled it again last night. The keyway was fine, now I'm really lost. I made a pipe to slip over the crank and use the installer tool for the crank gear. Thats where I think the problem may be. I'll try to press it on farther. If that doesn't work I'll pull the cover again and start all over.

 

Hey, i used a big deep socket and rubber mallet and hammered the crank gear on, it has to be flush on the crank grove (buck it up till it wont go any further) plus my crank pulley has 3 grooves on it

From the one pic it doesnt look like the gear is in far enough, this is all the way on and at TDC



and about the braces, mine were just grinded a bit and the headers fit fine now.

but everything is looking good though, i like the looks of that engine it looks bad a$$.

joe

 

Thanks I think your right. I don't have a socket that big. It did the first time I put it together. When the key got all busted up. But know I'm working at dads and didn't have one. I cut a piece of Scedule 8 pipe at work and cut the ends true on a lathe, so now I can use the balancer installer to push the sprocket on.

P.S. I think your a tooth off on yours.

 

Yeah, I have to take the cam out anyway and start over so it's on hold for now till the car is done.

 

Ahh. Ok. Got my A/C Delete yeaterday. I'm hoping to get the balancer issuses resolvered and get the headers on. Then I can mount the box and find out how much room I have for my 6AL and fuel regulator. After those are taken care of I can put the starter in and I will piece together a fuel system and fire it up. I'm really, really wanting to start this thing up. Then its on to the shifter and clutch pedals. I will go for a spin this year. I hope.

 

I ordered a set of dura blocks this morrning. I will have to wait on working on the balancer. Wife is tubing today and me and the boys are hangin. Can't bring myself to go after the 4th of July float I went on. The sun is brutal and the river is way low, making trips go almost 6 hours.

 

Did that come with a gasket or do you have to put your own sealant?

 

Well she finally releaved me and I got to play. Got some progress too.

First, The damn balancer. I made these crank gear installers that work with a balancer installer. Made one for a small block 1 1/4"d pipe and big block 1 3/4" pipe, then used a 1" hardend washer that fell into my truck from work. I have no idea if the BB will work but the SB was dead on and even was snug in the crank seal, which held it for me. Both are 2 1/2' long. The crank gear moved all is good.





Second, finally bit the bullet and cut the braces out so i can install my headers. Scared on of my control arms too, bummer. You'll see why I'll never buy ceramic coated headers again.





Lastly, I got the heater box mocked up. It needed to be "tuned" in order to fit. I am also worried about header heat melting it. Never thought about it but that is probably why the factory made the from fiberglass.


I was going to put the starter in, I made a mistake when I bought it. The exhaust shop that did the exhaust on my truck had the left over from the speed shop that was in the building prior to them moving in. So I bought this proform mini starter. Today 6mo later I figure out it was for a 153 tooth flywheel and mine is 168. I do recommend these to anyone. Laying on my back it was lighter than a alternator and slipped between the headers and the oil pan easily. No way to return it, the shop doesnt sell them just the one on the shelf.


Here are some other pics just fooling around.




My ugly mug. Just to put a face to things.


Long post huh?