Harmonic Balancer Bolts Stripped

[Richard P.]

When I tried to put the harmonic balancer pulley back on my '61, I find that one of the bolt holes is stripped, and will not tighten. How can I repair without having to replace the balancer?

[Christopher R.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolts Stripped

1. 3/8" helicoil.

2. Or, tap the holes to 7/16".

[Mike M.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolts Stripped

helicoil it. if not familiar with helicoils, take to local auto machine shop and they can fix it. simple and inexpensive cure for your problem. good luck,mike

[Richard M.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolts Stripped

Hmmmm, shouldn't all of the threaded holes be heli-coiled for proper "balance"?

[Joe L.]

Re: Harmonic Balancer Bolts Stripped

Hmmmm, shouldn't all of the threaded holes be heli-coiled for proper "balance"?

Richard-----

I don't think one needs to go that far and, personally, I would not. I believe the effect on balance of the damper would be negligible when installing a heli-coil in one of the pulley bolt holes. You're replacing, essentially, an equal volume of steel with an equal volume of steel. I feel VERY confident that any effect on balance would be well within the normal factory tolerance. These things were not balanced like rotors on a jet engine.