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I used oil when installing my harmonic balancer, Was that wrong?
I'm working on my crate, LS376/480 swapped, 1991 Mustang Coupe project car. I've got ICT Billet front end accessory drive brackets (F body spacing) so I had to remove the OEM Corvette spacing balancer and replace it with a new, GM, F body spacing harmonic balancer.
I didn't know better and I used some engine oil on the oil seal as well as the crank snout before I pressed the HB on. Probably because of the oil, the HB went on without too much effort. Most of the guys had to put a lot of muscle into their HB installations in the videos that I watched.
Although I've seen at least one or two youtube videos where they used lube, it seems like the preferred method is to install the HB dry with no oil on the seal or the crank snout. Should I remove the HB, clean off the oil and press it back on or should I just call it good? I saw online where some unlucky LS people actually had their harmonic balancers come off the crank while their engines were running !
BTW, I used this fantastic USA made HB installer: mafracting.com I purchased it through their eBay store along with their flywheel holder tool.
THIMK: within about 2 seconds of the 1st time you hit the key, there's gonna be oil all over that seal ANYWAY. What the hell difference does it make if there's some on it BEFORE then?
Once you get the bolt installed and fully tight, it isn't gonna make any difference about the oil on the crank snout. Same logic.
Usual reason for the HB walking off is, bolt not tight enough. There might occasionally be other reasons but that's the Pareto Principle answer. Don't make that mistake, and you'll be fine.
THIMK: within about 2 seconds of the 1st time you hit the key, there's gonna be oil all over that seal ANYWAY. What the hell difference does it make if there's some on it BEFORE then?
Once you get the bolt installed and fully tight, it isn't gonna make any difference about the oil on the crank snout. Same logic.
Usual reason for the HB walking off is, bolt not tight enough. There might occasionally be other reasons but that's the Pareto Principle answer. Don't make that mistake, and you'll be fine.
Sleep easy on it.
Thank you RB. That does make me feel better about it.
I don't even have a new HB bolt, but once I get one, I'll be sure to add sealer to the head/washer and then torque it properly. I haven't made up my mind whether i'm going with a TTY bolt or an ARP HB bolt.
01-16-2022, 07:41 AM
I used oil when installing my harmonic balancer, Was that wrong? 
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