Harmonic Balancer Advise

[carteaco]

I need to replace the harmonic balancer on my 427 BBC. Lake Hydro
11.5:1, Cast iron heads, holley 1050.
Best bang for my buck?

[Yeager]

I personally prefer ATI.

Mark

[RiverRacer]

No bang for the buck there, make sure it's an SFI approved balancer, stockers come apart and that outer ring becomes a buzz saw, and it will cut the boat in half!...

[Wannabe]

ATI's are probably the best overall but not bang for the buck. I keep hearing great things about the professional products SFI approved. Large scale engine builders on my phone telling me they are spectacular and that I should try them on my big race engines. These guys don't deal in junk. I won't do that, but I will try some soon on basic engines.

[Terrible toy]

No bang for the buck there, make sure it's an SFI approved balancer, stockers come apart and that outer ring becomes a buzz saw, and it will cut the boat in half!...

Art, I know of two drag boats, using stock chevy balancers, that that had the outer ring come apart. Can't prove it, but would bet they first failed at the TDC mark. What, nobody like Fluidampr?

[RiverRacer]

Art, I know of two drag boats, using stock chevy balancers, that that had the outer ring come apart. Can't prove it, but would bet they first failed at the TDC mark. What, nobody like Fluidampr?

Yep I believe it, I remember a buddy didn't believe that they would come apart, so I told him to paint a line across and keep an eye on it, well after two passes at 7800 the outer ring moved a 1/4", needless to say that balancer came off real quick!..

[gfinishline]

Unless your motor has some "special balance" (tricks done to it), just get an Casale or ISKY HUB! Internally balanced 396/427's don't need a balancer, so why go there? You can make your own "timing ring" and bolt it right to the flange. "TDC" your #1 piston and go from there. I never liked ANY of the "self adjusting" balancers. Sit on the rope for 45 minutes (after pit warm up) start motor, look at oil pressure gauge, hit it! I found it took more than 30 seconds for the quickest fluid/rattler balancer to "find it's balance point", by that time I'm back on the trailer with a motor that shook all the way down track. Fischer was always trying to get me use his stuff, I tried it and never went back. OK for NASCAR or Enduros, not my choice for play and drags. "In THIS CASE, less IS more!"

[RiverRacer]

You mean one of these!..:D

http://www.v-driveboat.com/vweb/attachment.php?attachmentid=505&stc=1&d=1213284965

[PE 316]

IF anyone is interested, I have a 8" Fluidamper balancer available for an "internally balanced" (396/402/427) BBC. This item is essentially BRAND NEW. It was installed on the crank during engine assembly. Moments later, it was found that this balancer did not adequately clear the Kuhl "River Rat" water pump I am using. This balancer then was removed and replaced by a 7" ATI dampner before ever being installed in the boat. I would be willing to let this Fluidamper go for a very FAIR/REASONABLE price...