LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

harmonic damper

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 7, 2004 | 12:39 AM
  #1  
Vendetta's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Default harmonic damper

how do I tell if a harmonic damper has gone bad? I'm getting a nasty vibration whether I'm in neutral or what, so that rules out the stiffer tranny mount, or a driveshaft... I'm thinking either damper, or flywheel. Could anything internal causet his?
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2004 | 01:10 PM
  #2  
96SCTA's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
From: BLOOMFIELD, NY
Default

Originally Posted by enisguy
how do I tell if a harmonic damper has gone bad? I'm getting a nasty vibration whether I'm in neutral or what, so that rules out the stiffer tranny mount, or a driveshaft... I'm thinking either damper, or flywheel. Could anything internal causet his?

Does the vibration get worse as you increase the RPM'S ??
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2004 | 02:13 PM
  #3  
Vendetta's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Default

Originally Posted by 96SCTA
Does the vibration get worse as you increase the RPM'S ??
yes it does
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2004 | 05:26 PM
  #4  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

I bought a Fluidampr for mine. I decided that the new rotating assembly was too much for the stock damper. The first thing I noticed was my header bolts were backing out. The 396 was a rough one but thought it was the nature of the beast. I haven't driven the car since I put on the new damper. Since you're running S/C, do you think maybe the crank pulley is just out of line just a tad or maybe one or two bolts are torqued too much? Was the bottom end balanced and everything when it was built?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 12:06 AM
  #5  
Vendetta's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Default

Originally Posted by dhdenney
I bought a Fluidampr for mine. I decided that the new rotating assembly was too much for the stock damper. The first thing I noticed was my header bolts were backing out. The 396 was a rough one but thought it was the nature of the beast. I haven't driven the car since I put on the new damper. Since you're running S/C, do you think maybe the crank pulley is just out of line just a tad or maybe one or two bolts are torqued too much? Was the bottom end balanced and everything when it was built?
I don't know.. I didn't have the motor built. The previous owner did. What exactly is balancing? What could happen if it wasn't balanced? Why would somebody not have it balanced? Would this be a good cause of power loss? (sorry for all the questions)

Last edited by enisguy; Apr 19, 2004 at 12:23 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 09:27 AM
  #6  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

Well when they built the bottom end, they should have "spun the parts" and made adjustments to balance out the assembly for smooth operation. If they just put it all in there without checking then it will be beating around in there and causing this vibration. BUT SURELY the machine shop balanced the thing. If the flywheel bolts aren't all torqued the same then it might cause a vibration but I wouldn't think it would be "nasty." I would take the belt and crank pulley off the S/C and go from there. See if it vibrates without the S/C running. BTW, shouldn't you be running like 11's?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 12:31 PM
  #7  
Vendetta's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Default

Originally Posted by dhdenney
BTW, shouldn't you be running like 11's?
That's why I'm curious about where this vibration is coming from...
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 01:08 PM
  #8  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

Well I would try everything in simplest order. I just have thought that the stock driveshafts on these cars are bad to be out of balance but you said it does it in neutral too so that rules that out but something to look at anyway (for later). Try running the motor without the S/C running and then from there check your flywheel. Is it just misfiring? After I fouled a set of plugs on the stock motor, it was ROUGH. Try everything you can externally before you go the expensive route.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 02:08 PM
  #9  
Vendetta's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Default

Originally Posted by dhdenney
Well I would try everything in simplest order. I just have thought that the stock driveshafts on these cars are bad to be out of balance but you said it does it in neutral too so that rules that out but something to look at anyway (for later). Try running the motor without the S/C running and then from there check your flywheel. Is it just misfiring? After I fouled a set of plugs on the stock motor, it was ROUGH. Try everything you can externally before you go the expensive route.
Yeah that makes sense. She was missing bad but ever since the tune she hasn't. I'll definitely check that out though. Tanks for your help.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 03:53 PM
  #10  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

No prob. Have you done a cam swap in an F body? I'm wanting to but I don't wanna fool with it. Did you do it without removing the front bumper cover?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 04:24 PM
  #11  
Vendetta's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Default

Originally Posted by dhdenney
No prob. Have you done a cam swap in an F body? I'm wanting to but I don't wanna fool with it. Did you do it without removing the front bumper cover?
I haven't done one yet but I will eventually, I plan on swapping my 214/222 our for a 224/236... There are tons of write-ups on cam swaps, just make sure you set out enough time for yourself and not rush it... I'm not sure if you have to take off the front-end or not, though...

About the plugs, my car was running pig rich for a while. You think this could have killed the plugs? Would bad plugs cause the vibration?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 07:55 PM
  #12  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

Well mine was running really rich as well. I don't know if a rich condition would necessarily foul a plug. I'm not an expert though so I wouldn't know about that. I've never heard of it though. When I fouled that one set, I was running nitrous without a timing retard and it eat 'em up. However a carbon buildup on a plug would eventually just burn off right?
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 12:12 PM
  #13  
Vendetta's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Default

Originally Posted by dhdenney
Well mine was running really rich as well. I don't know if a rich condition would necessarily foul a plug. I'm not an expert though so I wouldn't know about that. I've never heard of it though. When I fouled that one set, I was running nitrous without a timing retard and it eat 'em up. However a carbon buildup on a plug would eventually just burn off right?
Yes, I've heard of it happening before. I'll check the belt/pullies and the plugs as soon as I get a chance... thanks for your help
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 03:27 PM
  #14  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

No prob.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 04:11 PM
  #15  
-PEPE-'s Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by dhdenney
No prob. Have you done a cam swap in an F body? I'm wanting to but I don't wanna fool with it. Did you do it without removing the front bumper cover?

Yes you can can swap without removing the front bumper cover. Generally (not in this exact order necessarily) you pull your fans, then radiator, plastic air dam (front of radiator), hoses, etc etc, this will also give you some room for pulling the balancer, waterpump, opti, timing cover, etc. When your finally ready to pull the cam out using (3) 7/16" thread x 4" long bolts screwed into the front of cam as a handle you ease it out carefully (don't want to scar your cam bearings), about halfway out remove the (3) bolts and continue, the cam will slide all the way out with about a 1/4" of space remaning prior hitting a sheetmetal support frame, just angle it once free from the engine and prepare for your new cam.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 06:05 PM
  #16  
dhdenney's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
From: Monticello, Kentucky
Default

Thanks bud. Someone had already given me a good LS1 cam swap link but it's the same thing really. Glad you give me the measurements on those bolts though. I could go ahead and have those instead of figuring it out when I got to the cam.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:35 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE