The Ford Barn

Gnico · 12-20-2015, 10:55 AM

I am in the process of building a 50' Mercury setup with Isky cam (street version), 3x2 intake and Offenhauser alum heads. The engine will most likely be the standard bore. My question is should I use a harmonic balancer other than just the stock front pulley. Has anyone tried adapting a small block chevy balancer to this engine and if so what balancer did you use.

tubman · 12-20-2015, 11:38 AM

I know they make harmonic balancers specifically for these engines. Are the SBC units that much cheaper that it is cost effective enough to consider this?

Ol' Ron · 12-20-2015, 12:23 PM

Yes the SBC balancer is much cheaper, around $75 . However it must have the key way moved and be bored for a press fit on the crank. so there will be a machine shop charge. Now you have to come up with some pulleys to meet your needs. I do this because I have the necessary machinery to do most of it, but it might not be cost effective. Now just why do you want to do this in a mildly stock engine??

Gnico · 12-20-2015, 12:46 PM

"Now just why do you want to do this in a mildly stock engine??"

That is really the answer I was looking for. Maybe my topic should have read "Is a harmonic balancer" needed in my particular engine build.

JWL · 12-20-2015, 03:00 PM

In my book I covered the use of the SBC Harmonic Balancer on our Flatheads. There are many more choices available for the SBC than the Flathead. Including the ATI "Street" model designed for lower RPM(as our Flatheads use)

This does not speak to the subject of "need". All engines should have a harmonic balancer. However, the fact is many millions of Flatheads have operated successfully for billions of miles with no harmonic balancer.

itslow · 12-20-2015, 10:09 PM

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Just a clarification, but since both the Flathead and SBC are internally balanced, the part in question is a damper and not a balancer.

Pete from OZ · 12-20-2015, 10:12 PM

Hi JWL
I have a Fluidampr on my Newly built 8BA.
Have you had much to do with these Balancers. They are a little costly .

Pete from OZ

Ardun · 12-20-2015, 10:29 PM

I use a stock balancer on my 8ba Ardun. No problems and I run smooth. If my engine was supercharged I might consider a Fluidamper to save the snout.

JWL · 12-21-2015, 08:46 AM

No, I have not used Fluidamper. Most pro's use ATI and I see no reason for me to discount their knowledge by experimenting.

This statement does NOT mean Fluidamper does not work or will cause a problem. It simply means I don't know.

12-20-2015, 10:55 AM	#1
Gnico Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 29	Harmonic Balancer I am in the process of building a 50' Mercury setup with Isky cam (street version), 3x2 intake and Offenhauser alum heads. The engine will most likely be the standard bore. My question is should I use a harmonic balancer other than just the stock front pulley. Has anyone tried adapting a small block chevy balancer to this engine and if so what balancer did you use.

12-20-2015, 11:38 AM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Harmonic Balancer I know they make harmonic balancers specifically for these engines. Are the SBC units that much cheaper that it is cost effective enough to consider this?

12-20-2015, 12:23 PM	#3
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: Harmonic Balancer Yes the SBC balancer is much cheaper, around $75 . However it must have the key way moved and be bored for a press fit on the crank. so there will be a machine shop charge. Now you have to come up with some pulleys to meet your needs. I do this because I have the necessary machinery to do most of it, but it might not be cost effective. Now just why do you want to do this in a mildly stock engine??

12-20-2015, 12:46 PM	#4
Gnico Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 29	Re: Harmonic Balancer "Now just why do you want to do this in a mildly stock engine??" That is really the answer I was looking for. Maybe my topic should have read "Is a harmonic balancer" needed in my particular engine build.

12-20-2015, 03:00 PM	#5
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Harmonic Balancer In my book I covered the use of the SBC Harmonic Balancer on our Flatheads. There are many more choices available for the SBC than the Flathead. Including the ATI "Street" model designed for lower RPM(as our Flatheads use) This does not speak to the subject of "need". All engines should have a harmonic balancer. However, the fact is many millions of Flatheads have operated successfully for billions of miles with no harmonic balancer.

12-20-2015, 10:09 PM	#6
itslow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 691	Re: Harmonic Balancer Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Just a clarification, but since both the Flathead and SBC are internally balanced, the part in question is a damper and not a balancer. __________________ Mike Wanted: - '32-34 Open Cab Pickup (RPU) parts and documents/articles/info - ARDUN parts

12-20-2015, 10:12 PM	#7
Pete from OZ Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sydney - Australia Posts: 87	Re: Harmonic Balancer Hi JWL I have a Fluidampr on my Newly built 8BA. Have you had much to do with these Balancers. They are a little costly . Pete from OZ

12-20-2015, 10:29 PM	#8
Ardun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Posts: 171	Re: Harmonic Balancer I use a stock balancer on my 8ba Ardun. No problems and I run smooth. If my engine was supercharged I might consider a Fluidamper to save the snout.

12-21-2015, 08:46 AM	#9
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Harmonic Balancer No, I have not used Fluidamper. Most pro's use ATI and I see no reason for me to discount their knowledge by experimenting. This statement does NOT mean Fluidamper does not work or will cause a problem. It simply means I don't know.