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RDMG
Dave R
Northern Virginia
(138 posts)

Registered:
04/07/2016 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB 4.6L Rover V8

Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: RDMG
Date: January 07, 2019 09:17PM

Good evening everyone,

My machine shop suggested I replace my stock Rover 4.6 harmonic balancer, and suggested I look at ATI racing products for an aftermarket option. New OEM Rover harmonic balancers cost over $500, and junkyard dampers on the web are all at least 15 years old now, and are universally sad looking. That got me thinking.

Rebuilt dampers are about $250-ish on Damper Doctor, and there’s a range of options in stock there that may also fit my crankshaft. I’m not sure which of the 215/3.5/3.9/4.6/Buick300/340/350 dampers interchange. My RV8 4.6 balancer looks to be much heavier than the early Buick 215 balancers. I’m guessing that’s due to the larger size of the rotating mass at the other end (torque converter or piggish flywheel), as compared to that of the early 215 skylarks

I’m planning to use a lighter flywheel than the original Land Rover, and am wondering if that permits me to use a lighter balancer at the other end of the crank?

Any suggestions out there for what part numbers might work?

I’m still noodling on a custom front cover, so belt/pulley alignment and belt type is a problem I already have.

Many thanks!

Dave


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: January 08, 2019 11:07AM

Forget the Buick 300/340/350 dampers. They are externally balanced.


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: roverman
Date: January 16, 2019 12:08PM

" Don't try this at home" ! I use the sbc, Fluidampener. Internal balanced. I tack-weld a 1/2 height soft steel key, in the slot, bore out , leaving about .003-.005", for hone to fit RV8 crank. A.I.R. , you must broach keyway deeper. Not for everyone. Use at your own risk ! Art.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: January 16, 2019 12:43PM

I use a 6 cylinder Jeep fluiddamper with a custom made adapter which is machined for balance.

Jim


40indianss
don foote

(83 posts)

Registered:
08/01/2013 04:35PM

Main British Car:


Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: 40indianss
Date: January 16, 2019 11:09PM

D&D has the appropriate damper available for the 4.6 and iirc it is about $250 or so. Fit perfectly and I am using their 10lb flywheel also


Young olds
roger parkey
Washington state
(95 posts)

Registered:
05/02/2018 07:07PM

Main British Car:
Opel 1900 sport coupe 1975 Oldsmobile 215

Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: Young olds
Date: January 19, 2019 12:22PM

Anyone look at the bhj or ati for the 215? I am looking to replace my stock damper, was leaning towards the ati but there is a note about it being for dry sump use. But I can not think of a reason your oiling system would affect your balancer.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: January 19, 2019 03:21PM

You should ask them. Let us know what they tell you if you would,

Jim



Young olds
roger parkey
Washington state
(95 posts)

Registered:
05/02/2018 07:07PM

Main British Car:
Opel 1900 sport coupe 1975 Oldsmobile 215

Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: Young olds
Date: January 22, 2019 03:55PM

The ati balancer that summit racing shows fits the 215 does not. Ati told me that one is for Buick’s with a Chevy crank snout, and for some reason why it is dry sump only. The bhj is about $600, waiting to hear back from ati wether or not they actually offer one for the 215. In the mean time is there a nice aftermarket balancer around a $200/300 price range? Are most people using stock balancers?


Young olds
roger parkey
Washington state
(95 posts)

Registered:
05/02/2018 07:07PM

Main British Car:
Opel 1900 sport coupe 1975 Oldsmobile 215

Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: Young olds
Date: January 22, 2019 05:28PM

ATI does not offer one for the 215.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2019 01:53PM by MGBV8.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Harmonic balancer considerations
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: January 23, 2019 10:52AM

Damper Dudes should have one.

Jim


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