Jeff Smith, former editor of Hot Rod and Car Craft Magazines, explains how to install and remove a balancer from a Chevrolet LS engine using tools available from Summit Racing.
Like seeing an old friend again, as I followed you for years in the Hot Rod books and am now retired, So good to see you again, Look forward to seeing more from you.Since I'm still building,
Good job Jeff! I'm one of "those guys" that uses a pneumatic impact. Done at least a half dozen of them, and none have come loose, and none have spun on the crank
This info is golden; you just gained a subscriber. I am about to replace the crank seal on my 5.3 Vortech and was not sure how to reinstall it. Thank you so much!!
Thank you Jeff, for the information well said. Now I'm having and issue with pro charger model: 23341 and the current factory damper does not line up for me. It's an LS1 5.3 year 1996 - 2005. I'm looking for the correct damper option, I guess belt size would be great as well.
I cannot get the crankshaft bolt out from the balancer. Any ideas. Tried everything. Now looking at cutting it out. Everything is rusted in place. Thanks
That's a tough one. I would soak the snot out of it with penetrant - PB Blaster and Kroil work well. You may have to apply heat to help with this process. I would see if you can find someone with a oxy-acetylene torch to get this really hot - gonna be tough because the threads are buried deep into the crank but I'd try that first. And use a big pnuematic air gun with tons of pressure. If all else fails, you will probably ahve to drill it out but I think the bolt will loosen before that happens.
It's not necesary to pin the balancer unless you will be using a supercharger then it might be a good idea as the load increases dramatically. For normally aspirated engines I don't think it's necessary.
