1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

[Donald H.]

I am having an issue with the harmonic balancer on my engine build. I have a reproduction high HP balancer for my 270HP engine build.

Can someone who has a 270HP 59-60 tell me if the timing cover tab extends out and over the timing mark on the balancer?

I have a low HP balancer with the offset (smaller diameter) on the front side of the balancer, but the high HP balancer has the offset on the back side and the timing mark is on larger diameter front part of the balancer. There is a gap between the timing tab on the cover the the timing mark on the balancer. Is this correct?

And yes, the balancer is flush up against the crank sprocket.

Second question, has anyone used a double row roller timing chain on a 283? We are trying, but that seems to be pushing the balancer out to much to every get good pulley alignment. Yes, this is also part of the problem with the timing mark, but it looks like even going back to a stock like chain and sprocket, the tab on the timing cover with not reach out over the timing mark on the balancer

Thanks,

Don

[Joe L.]

Re: 1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

I am having an issue with the harmonic balancer on my engine build. I have a reproduction high HP balancer for my 270HP engine build.

Can someone who has a 270HP 59-60 tell me if the timing cover tab extends out and over the timing mark on the balancer?

I have a low HP balancer with the offset (smaller diameter) on the front side of the balancer, but the high HP balancer has the offset on the back side and the timing mark is on larger diameter front part of the balancer. There is a gap between the timing tab on the cover the the timing mark on the balancer. Is this correct?

And yes, the balancer is flush up against the crank sprocket.

Second question, has anyone used a double row roller timing chain on a 283? We are trying, but that seems to be pushing the balancer out to much to every get good pulley alignment. Yes, this is also part of the problem with the timing mark, but it looks like even going back to a stock like chain and sprocket, the tab on the timing cover with not reach out over the timing mark on the balancer

Thanks,

Don

Don------


GM used the double row timing chain on many 283's (the ones installed in MD and HD trucks).

The thickness of the crankshaft sprocket, measured at the point of contact for the balancer, should be the same for both the stock crankshaft sprocket and the double roller sprocket. This should be about 0.525".

The thickness of the crankshaft sprocket is the only factor related to the timing set which affects the installed position of the harmonic balancer.

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

Don------


GM used the double row timing chain on many 283's (the ones installed in MD and HD trucks).

The thickness of the crankshaft sprocket, measured at the point of contact for the balancer, should be the same for both the stock crankshaft sprocket and the double roller sprocket. This should be about 0.525".

The thickness of the crankshaft sprocket is the only factor related to the timing set which affects the installed position of the harmonic balancer.

Thanks,

We're going to put a stock type back on and check it against the double row setup we have.

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

Here are a couple of picture to show one of my issues. It probably isn't much of a deal, but just wondering how a stock high HP balancer looks. As you can see, the low HP balancer fits "under" the timing cover tab in the picture on the left. But due to the way the replacement high HP is constructed with the offset being on the rear, the timing mark is out past the tab on the cover.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

Here are a couple of picture to show one of my issues. It probably isn't much of a deal, but just wondering how a stock high HP balancer looks. As you can see, the low HP balancer fit "under" the timing cover tab in the picture on the left. But due to the way the replacement high HP is constructed with the offset being on the rear, the timing mark is out past the tab on the cover.

Don-----


I believe the same pointer was used for all 1960 engines. So, the sort of situation you have pictured would be inevitable.

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

Don-----


I believe the same pointer was used for all 1960 engines. So, the sort of situation you have pictured would be inevitable.

Thanks Joe, that does seem to be the case.

[James A.]

Re: 1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

Here's a photo of a 290hp.

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

Here's a photo of a 290hp.

Thanks, that is exactly what I wanted to see.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1960 high performance harmonic balancer fit

Here's a photo of a 290hp.

Maybe it's an optical illusion, but it appears the crank and water pump pulleys don't align properly.

And not to pick nits, but isn't that a '61, which would make it a 315 hp engine?

Jim