Ethnic "Engineering"...or "if the bolt breaks..."

[graygun]

I recently bought a '81 C-10 ( Chevy p/u) with the 250 inline six. I was going to change the harmonic balancer only to discover that it is welded onto the crankshaft instead of bolted. The engine runs well and doesn't burn oil but I didn't notice this until recently...caveat emptor.

 

[coach]

Why would the harmonic balancer need changing?

 

[RugerHound]

coach - A harmonic balancer is comprised of two pieces with a stout rubber insert. The thing is designed to provide mass for crank stabilization and offset native vibration. They can fail from heat, road salt, etc.

 

[graygun]

Why would the harmonic balancer need changing?

It was spinning a little "untrue" and I thought the rubber dampener portion was going bad. The balancer is ok..it 's just not quite square to the crankshaft nozzle.

 

[RugerHound]

Why would the harmonic balancer need changing?

It was spinning a little "untrue" and I thought the rubber dampener portion was going bad. The balancer is ok..it 's just not quite square to the crankshaft nozzle.

And now you know WHY!

Is it tacked, or really really REALLY welded to the shaft?

 

[whichwatch]

I recently bought a '81 C-10 ( Chevy p/u) with the 250 inline six. I was going to change the harmonic balancer only to discover that it is welded onto the crankshaft instead of bolted. The engine runs well and doesn't burn oil but I didn't notice this until recently...caveat emptor.

It's a 1981, drive it until it won't go anymore, if you paid much for it you're nuts.

 

[graygun]

RH: it's really on there...ugly.

ww: I paid $750 for the truck....had the TH 350 rebuilt. I plan on driving it as you suggested and at some point put in another 250 or maybe a sbc.

 

[speedsixman]

I don't know when GM stopped making them, but there used to be a 292 CI straight 6 available in the trucks. Same length block but a little taller because of the longer stroke. I have one out of a '67 C30 truck.
They are easy to identify because the side covers over the lifters are taller.

They are a great motor if you need gobs of torque.

Myron

 

[graygun]

The 292 and 250 are both in the service manual. Well,this old truck keeps me busy.

 

[m657]

Chev had a 292 V6 also circa 1963 or so, good torque for a pick up.

 

[speedsixman]

m657,

Was the 292 V6 a strange looking critter with the spark plugs on top next to the intake manifold?

I had a 1966 GMC 3/4 ton that had an engine like that but I think it was a 303 or something.They were designed so one block could be bolted to the front of another to make a V 12.

Myron

 

[Mega Twin]

The GMC v-6 valve covers looked like a 409.
They had a 4 groove piston ring set up,and was the same block they used on the diesel v-6 at the time.
It was one honkin heavy engine,weighed more than a big block chevy.

 

[CLAYPOOL]

My "In Line" 292 - 6 will start any time. Manifold is very loud. Gasket between the carb and exhaust is gone.... Split manifold set up. gas drains back every few days so you crank and crank and crank, but then it starts and dies and starts and dies and runs a little longer, etc. Just keeps on ticking ( in the lifters)... 1 ton dump. They don't get any better than this boys

 

[Cholo]

It's a 1981, drive it until it won't go anymore, if you paid much for it you're nuts.

I noticed graygun beat the door down responding to your drivel. What do you care?

 

[graygun]

My "In Line" 292 - 6 will start any time. Manifold is very loud. Gasket between the carb and exhaust is gone.... Split manifold set up. gas drains back every few days so you crank and crank and crank, but then it starts and dies and starts and dies and runs a little longer, etc. Just keeps on ticking ( in the lifters)... 1 ton dump. They don't get any better than this boys

I had a '78 G-10 with a 250 with the gas/crank problem;overnight it would empty the float bowl. It was the carb needle had gone bad after several years...Rochester 1 barrel.

 

[Merle1948]

m657,

Was the 292 V6 a strange looking critter with the spark plugs on top next to the intake manifold?

I had a 1966 GMC 3/4 ton that had an engine like that but I think it was a 303 or something.They were designed so one block could be bolted to the front of another to make a V 12.

Myron

Close - it was a 305. :wink:

 

[mohavesam]

Those old trucks you're talking about cannot be tracked by Apple (NSA). C'mon, buy a new vehicle!

I have known the feeling of watching the odometer roll over for the second and third time - but all on Fords. It is a great feeling!

 

[Dan in MI]

You guys with the fuel draining back and crank forever until you get fuel flowing again. You can put an inexpensive in line electric fuel pump on them. Then you can impress people with how well your old truck starts.

 

[graygun]

My '78 G-10 250 only had the problem until I replaced the needle/seat in the carb. I had that van for almost eight years and over 100K miles.

 

[4MUL8R]

A six cyl is inherently balanced and normally does not have a balancer need. Surprised to hear yours has one.

 

[graygun]

A six cyl is inherently balanced and normally does not have a balancer need. Surprised to hear yours has one.

Balancer is a misnomer for this engine. The book calls it a torsional vibration damper.

Some former owner probably tried to drive it onto the crank via the bolt and stripped some threads. :roll:

 

[Colonialgirl]

A six cyl is inherently balanced and normally does not have a balancer need. Surprised to hear yours has one.

I have heard that the Five Cylinder Volvo uses is MUCH better naturally balanced which is why they went with Five instead of Six. Of course they would LIKE for you to use Premium Gasoline in them, but living here in the flatlands of Florida I use the mid-grade and give up a mile or two per gallon. I really LOVED my '87, 760 GLE with the injected V-6 WOW what power, the lifters were a bit noisy (That engine was designed by Peugeot and Volvo ).

 

[cadillo]

A six cyl is inherently balanced and normally does not have a balancer need. Surprised to hear yours has one.

Balancer is a misnomer for this engine. The book calls it a torsional vibration damper.

Some former owner probably tried to drive it onto the crank via the bolt and stripped some threads. :roll:

I believe that you are correct. I used to rebuild Chevy small block V-8's, and have the tool used to press the balancer back onto the crank after installation of the timing chain cover. If the tool's mounting screw is not bottomed out in the crank, it could very well strip the crank threads while drawing the balancer onto the crank and over the woodruff key.

 

[whichwatch]

It's a 1981, drive it until it won't go anymore, if you paid much for it you're nuts.

I noticed graygun beat the door down responding to your drivel. What do you care?

Yes, but he said he would drive it as I suggested. What do I care? Really I don't.