Topic: harmonic balancer wobble!

[ta78w72]

all i am seeing is a repair sleeve..   whats that all about?   oh I can see this will be fun! Maybe this is the excuse i needed to find a pontiac 400!   LOL

The repair sleeves are used to stop oil seeping out.  The balancer wears and the sleeve compensates.  I'd replace the balancer rather than use a sleeve.  But in your case, you must replace the balancer.  I wouldn't drive the car as it is now.

[TeamPontiac88]

Thanks guys! I have not had one of these cars in many many years so I didnt know where to look! I appreciate all the help!

[ih8z28s]

This is what will happen when a balancer goes, my buddy was driving down the highway when it went, not pretty! broke the crank and snapped the cam.

[Tin Indians Rule]

Dude, U gotta post warnings before something this graphic. OUCH! Its like watching another guy get kicked test tickles!

[turbota400]

There is another member on here that posted some pretty graphic pics of a catastrophic failure in his '75 TA when the hub of his balancer fell apart and wiped out everything.

[78w72]

gm part# 88960256 is what you need.  gm parts direct has one for $32!

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/

[ta78w72]

I may have that one on the shelf.  If it's the same as the 400 balancer, that particular one is made in India but it does appear better made than the original.  But, my original has been on the car since it left the factory and the one on the shelf has never been installed. 

[limey]

Look at the keyway on the balancer. Mine had a hairline crack in it, glad I caught it!

[ta78w72]

There is another member on here that posted some pretty graphic pics of a catastrophic failure in his '75 TA when the hub of his balancer fell apart and wiped out everything.

That was Rick.  But I always wondered how he knew the balancer was the real culprit.  That engine virtually exploded.

[screaminchickin]

Before you get a balancer puller check to see if you can pull it off by hand.A lot of them will just slide off once the bolts out.

[TeamPontiac88]

thanks guys! Im just a little confused as to whats the correct balancer. I read different things about the 301. some sites say its 301 specific, some say no.  arghhhhhhh

[Tin Indians Rule]

What I've found and remember is that 301 Turbo is the oddball. But of course you can check it out for yourself.

[78w72]

thanks guys! Im just a little confused as to whats the correct balancer. I read different things about the 301. some sites say its 301 specific, some say no.  arghhhhhhh

good thing i caught this,  i didnt read your first post close enough.  the balancer i put the link to is NOT for your 301.  those are not available new or repro as far as i know. the 301 is externally balanced & has a specific balanced damper & flywheel.  all other pontiacs are internal balance & use the same basic balancer for most years.

sorry for not catching you had a 301.  dont ask how i found out they are different!  

[Tin Indians Rule]

78w72, what source did you use for that info. Specifically the part that the 301 is externally balanced? Did the source specifically say NON TURBO 301 is externally balanced? Thanks I need to verify my research and sounds you you have a good lead on it so I'll just quote your source!

[Tin Indians Rule]

I found an article (if you wanna call it that) on Wikipedia that does list the 301 as externally balanced so now I'm going nuts to validate. Anyone else have a good source to confirm this?