SBC question

I have a 327 sbc and ive run into a bit of a problem i was really hoping i could get some help from some fellow hambers..... where the harmonic balancer is connected to the engine, mine seems to be stripped, the hole where the harmonic balancer goes in is only a half inch deep. I was wondering is a half inch the normal depth of this hole or is something snapped off inside? Thanks a lot

 

I think the bolt broke. there should be more than 1/2" of bolt/ threads in there.

sounds like your crank nose is stripped too

 

Most 327's and 283's didnt have ballencer bolts, they werent even drilled, they were pressed on and stayed on by luck

 

oh yeah good point ..if its an early 327

 

You have an early, small journal, 327, and the harmonic balancer is pressed on ONLY; there is NO bolt to help keep it on. You can have it tapped for one, and even while still in the car, but not easily. Most machine shops will drill an untapped crank, but the crank has to be out of the block. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Shaggy is right. It was hit and miss in the mid to late sixties. I have seen some factory high performance 327's with crank bolts. I think it might have something to do with when they went to large journal cranks about 1968, Then they all started having tapped holes for the balancer bolt.

 

mine is the same way and i am also trying to figure out what to do. mine is on the eng stand though.

 

i appreciate all the quick feedback mine is on a stand too, so what im hearing for advice is press it back on the crank and forget about what looked stipped?? (the engine is from 1964)

 

If it is on the stand, I'd get the crank out and have it drilled and tapped. Or drilled and re-tapped if it once was. There is a reason why they stopped doing this.

You might be looking at a pilot hole from the machining process. Can't remember what an early small-journal crank looks like off-hand. Brain gettin' fuzzy.

 

my '64 327 was not drilled.
I had it done on the next build up.

 

I`ve drilled and tapped one while in the car...Just remove the radiator and grille to get a straight shot...

Not rocket science...after you`ve done it once, You`ll be a pro!!!

Tom T

 

my 65 283 has a press-on balancer and i just put it in some hot water and smashed it on. seems to work...

 

This subject has been beat to death. Every once in awhile someone asks if it should be drilled & tapped for a bolt and there's always a handfull of guys that say it's not needed... Then sure enough someone else will come along and say theirs flew off and went through the radiator, ruined the end of the crank, etc. If it's not drilled & tapped do it. It's stupid not to.

 

what size bolt please?

 

X2 What is the thread size of a sbc 350 harmonic balancer bolt? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

http://performanceparts.com/part/Mr-Gasket/945G


Application: Street
Mr Gasket 945G Mr. Gasket 945G, Harmonic balancer bolt.
Fits 283-400 cu.in. Chevrolet V8s.

This grade 8 harmonic balancer bolt features an extra high hex area to prevent wrench slippage while turning the engine over to degree the cam or adjust the valves. It's heat treated for extra strength and it comes with an extra thick parallel ground washer to ensure accurate torque.

7/16"-20 x 2-1/4"

 

7/16-20 x 2-1/4", with a big hardened washer.

 

Thanks for the info you guy's are the greatest. This place is truly filled with knowledge.