What balancers do you use

Alan Warman · 09-10-2008, 09:57 PM

A buddie is rebuilding his small block chevy for a bracket racer.
Needs a new harmonic balancer.What would you use and why.

Alan Roehrich · 09-10-2008, 10:16 PM

ATI Super Damper. Because in 20+ years I've never had one fail (I cannot say that about a Fisher, a Fluidamper, a TCI, or a Professional Products), they make my bearings look great, they make my timing chains last longer, they can be rebuilt, and tuned to a particular combination.

Alan Warman · 09-10-2008, 11:05 PM

That is what I suggested along with the machinist.But he gasp for air when he
seen the price.Anybody know were to get one for a good price.

Alan Roehrich · 09-10-2008, 11:39 PM

I think Jeg's and Summit sell them.

When he balks at price, ask how much he thinks his engine is worth. And then you can tell him yesterday I tore down a dirt late model 406 with a "budget" SFI balancer on it. The rubber in the balancer was fried after a few races. The oil pump was broken off, and number 4 and number 5 main caps were broken, and so was number 4 main web. I know for a fact the rotating assembly was balanced within a half gram, it was done in our shop. It was not that stout an engine, maybe 525HP, and 6500 RPM. There was no detonation, no excessive RPM, everything else was fine.

I can tell you the customer learned a valuable lesson. Saving $200 or less on a balancer cost him about $3K. I warned him. His next engine will have an ATI.

Alan Warman · 09-11-2008, 01:04 AM

I'm trying to make him understand the new motor will be making more power.
So what worked before,might not work now.The old motor was a stock block 4-bolt main sbc
stock crank,pink rods SRP .030 pistons 13-1 and a fluidamper.Double hump heads 2.02 1.60 ported by God only knows who,and roller rockers 1.5.Victor JR intake 750 DP carb,Bullet solid cam in the 590 lift range.
The best it ran was 11.80s at 3400lbs at 3300 alt.The new motor will reuse block,crank,rocker arms,cam and intake and carb.New parts are Eagle 6" rods, Wiseco pistons,comp will be just a tad under 12-1.And a set of Dart Iron Eagle Platinum heads 230cc.I know the heads are a little to big but he can grow into them later.Better intake,carb,cam.

SSDiv6 · 09-11-2008, 01:11 AM

1. ATI (USA)

2. BHJ (USA)

3. Romac (Australia)

4. Power Bond (Australia)

5. Pioneer (USA)

bobby · 09-11-2008, 07:37 AM

ATI. I had one of those junky Professional Products on my Pontiac and it didn't make it 6 months. the outer ring came loose from the inner hub. You should have seen me trying to time it, LOL.

Chris1529 · 09-11-2008, 11:08 AM

someone on pinks last night lost the outer ring on their damper.

Myron Piatek · 09-11-2008, 12:02 PM

I've been using the SFI balancers from Pioneer for years. My 360's have been internally balanced using a neutral balanced balancer/damper. They are also sold by Jeg's under their own label.
Never a problem, externally or internally. Internal parts always look good.

rallye bob · 09-12-2008, 08:30 AM

I use a Pro-Race (SFI) balancer on my Oldsmobile SB (7200 rpm), and it has been a good piece.
http://www.pro-race.com/

09-10-2008, 09:57 PM	#1
Alan Warman Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Angelo Tx Posts: 231 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What balancers do you use A buddie is rebuilding his small block chevy for a bracket racer. Needs a new harmonic balancer.What would you use and why. __________________ Alan Warman STK 4107

09-10-2008, 10:16 PM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,090 Likes: 1,534 Liked 1,758 Times in 398 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use ATI Super Damper. Because in 20+ years I've never had one fail (I cannot say that about a Fisher, a Fluidamper, a TCI, or a Professional Products), they make my bearings look great, they make my timing chains last longer, they can be rebuilt, and tuned to a particular combination. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

09-10-2008, 11:05 PM	#3
Alan Warman Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Angelo Tx Posts: 231 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use That is what I suggested along with the machinist.But he gasp for air when he seen the price.Anybody know were to get one for a good price. __________________ Alan Warman STK 4107

09-10-2008, 11:39 PM	#4
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,090 Likes: 1,534 Liked 1,758 Times in 398 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use I think Jeg's and Summit sell them. When he balks at price, ask how much he thinks his engine is worth. And then you can tell him yesterday I tore down a dirt late model 406 with a "budget" SFI balancer on it. The rubber in the balancer was fried after a few races. The oil pump was broken off, and number 4 and number 5 main caps were broken, and so was number 4 main web. I know for a fact the rotating assembly was balanced within a half gram, it was done in our shop. It was not that stout an engine, maybe 525HP, and 6500 RPM. There was no detonation, no excessive RPM, everything else was fine. I can tell you the customer learned a valuable lesson. Saving $200 or less on a balancer cost him about $3K. I warned him. His next engine will have an ATI. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S Last edited by Alan Roehrich; 09-10-2008 at 11:41 PM.

09-11-2008, 01:04 AM	#5
Alan Warman Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Angelo Tx Posts: 231 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use I'm trying to make him understand the new motor will be making more power. So what worked before,might not work now.The old motor was a stock block 4-bolt main sbc stock crank,pink rods SRP .030 pistons 13-1 and a fluidamper.Double hump heads 2.02 1.60 ported by God only knows who,and roller rockers 1.5.Victor JR intake 750 DP carb,Bullet solid cam in the 590 lift range. The best it ran was 11.80s at 3400lbs at 3300 alt.The new motor will reuse block,crank,rocker arms,cam and intake and carb.New parts are Eagle 6" rods, Wiseco pistons,comp will be just a tad under 12-1.And a set of Dart Iron Eagle Platinum heads 230cc.I know the heads are a little to big but he can grow into them later.Better intake,carb,cam. __________________ Alan Warman STK 4107

09-11-2008, 01:11 AM	#6
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,036 Likes: 710 Liked 1,538 Times in 575 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use 1. ATI (USA) 2. BHJ (USA) 3. Romac (Australia) 4. Power Bond (Australia) 5. Pioneer (USA)

09-11-2008, 07:37 AM	#7
bobby Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 243 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use ATI. I had one of those junky Professional Products on my Pontiac and it didn't make it 6 months. the outer ring came loose from the inner hub. You should have seen me trying to time it, LOL.

09-11-2008, 11:08 AM	#8
Chris1529 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,366 Likes: 6 Liked 70 Times in 29 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use someone on pinks last night lost the outer ring on their damper. __________________ Chris Bowman The Mountain State Mustang 1984 Mustang GT350

09-11-2008, 12:02 PM	#9
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use I've been using the SFI balancers from Pioneer for years. My 360's have been internally balanced using a neutral balanced balancer/damper. They are also sold by Jeg's under their own label. Never a problem, externally or internally. Internal parts always look good. __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

09-12-2008, 08:30 AM	#10
rallye bob Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Genoa, Illinois Posts: 488 Likes: 9 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: What balancers do you use I use a Pro-Race (SFI) balancer on my Oldsmobile SB (7200 rpm), and it has been a good piece. http://www.pro-race.com/