harmonic dampener problems

[shadango]

Hi guys.

Havent been on much lately due to losing my job - been trying to deal with resumes and such and worrying and..well....just been in a weird place and just now getting back amongst the living...LOL

Anyways, a while back i installed a Professional Products "Powerforce" street harmonic balancer #80012 on my 318, in the process of trying to eliminate vibration sources.

Not long ago, I popped my v belt and it ended up wedging against the dampener while the engine was running.....so it rubbed all the timing marks off of the face of the dampener.  I believe I can just make out the 4 lines that are every 90 degreess on the unit.

The dampener used to look like the photo attached,

So I guess, aside from replacing the dampener, I could find TDC on #1 and then maybe apply a stick on sort of timing mark deal maybe?  Any thoughts?

In the picture there is a keyway for the crank - I assume that lines up with TDC on #1.....so maybe just find that keyway, then the associated line and apply a decal from that line down?

[shadango]

Here is another pic...I went and marked all 4 lines.......then used my timing light. 

What aligned with 0 degrees at idle on the original engine timing marks is the small short mark circled, which is NOT one of the 4 lines....

When I gas it, that short line moves "up" into the "BTDC" zone...so the longer line above it (in the picture) must be running at around 15-20 BTDC which is around where I remember putting it a while back.

I am figuring that if the tape were run from that long line, using the above picture as a guide, it is running around 18-20 BTDC.

So I guess I have found the correct line from which to run the tape, which I would then use to line up with the "zero" mark on the engine, right?

[rattlesnake]

I am not familiar with this unit you are talking about but I will take a stab at it here; it appears if you know which line is just above the crankshaft index (assuming the one  pictured is your exact balancer) It does look like the tape runs from that mark and then around. If it were me (considering I am a bit of a perfectionist) I would bite the bullit and spend a little time on the phone with the manufacturer to see if they have a replcement tape and if they can offer some insite on putting it on.

[cudabob496]

you can make your own marks with white paint. Take string, measure circumferance of dampner. Divide
circumferance into 360, then you will know how many degrees each inch is along the edge of the dampner.

or, if have diameter of dampner, circ = 3.1415 x dia

[Chryco Psycho]

I would use a piston stop or use a screw driver to find TDC or close to it within 3-4 * anything else is a guess , 2 3/8" from TDC is 36*

[72cudamaan]

And after you find TDC, buy and install a timing tape for your diameter balancer.

[cudabob496]

And after you find TDC, buy and install a timing tape for your diameter balancer.

anyone had any success installing a timing tape?? My experience
is it is a waste of time.

[rattlesnake]

Timing tape had always been hit and miss for me. It all comes down to the quality of adhesive used on the back of the tape and even more important is making sure the balancer is 100% clean and free from all grease, dirt and other contaminants. Then of course any little thing that might come loose and hit or drag on the balancer usually destroys the tape, oil leaks that create grease on the balancer and need to be cleaned off also create problems with the numbers coming off while cleaning if the quality of tape is not what it should be. I have used a few light coats of a high quality clear coating over the tape with the most success, (again prep is key).

[72cudamaan]

anyone had any success installing a timing tape?? My experience
is it is a waste of time.

You probably don't prep the balancer correctly. I've never had one fall off. Probably put 20 or 30 of them on.

[Strawdawg]

Not sure the crank keyway points to TDC.

Use a piston stop and find it more precisely as Chryco suggested

[jhaag]

do yourself a favor and find actual TDC as suggested. Buy a timing tape and use it to permanently mark the balancer. lay out the marks you need and scribe the balancer. use a hacksaw (or another suitable tool) to put small grooves at 0, 10, 15, 20, and 35 degrees or whatever you feel you need. once this is done you could then put the tape on permanently and as suggested spray over it with clear lacquer to help it stay on. if the tape does come off, the marks you made will always be there. Probably have to remove the balancer to do this but, do it right the first time and never do it again.