235 Inline 6 Harmonic Balancer & crank-Noises

Recently I have noticed my 53 Chevy pickup is making a weird noise coming from my engine (235 straight 6) and discovered that my dampener or harmonic balancer is loose. It’s not too audible but its there. I checked and confirmed that the shaft is still solid, but with enough pressure I can barely turn the balancer and the shaft appears to stay, it’s a slight movement. I noticed that the shaft does not have a bolt securing the balancer on the shaft like my 350 that I’ve recently installed on my 52 Chevy Sedan (just cranked her for the first time!) Would anyone suggest using a tap & die set to drill and thread a hole in the center of the shaft to secure it with a bolt and check if it stops the noise. It’s something that I can possibly do and if it doesn’t work well I’m forced to take it to the shop, I guess. I know it will cost a lot of money to take it to a machine shop. I’m concerned because back in high school my balancer flew off my 85 Chevy pickup and busted my radiator and went rolling down the street! What a ruckus it made!

Greatly appreciate any ideas!

Engine (350) start for the first time in my 1952 Chevy Deluxe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=O3Q0tLIbxXA

 

Pull the balance and have a look. Most likely need to replace the key for starters. You can drill and tap the crank also if you have the room to do it in the car. A new key and balancer may take care of the problem ,old balancer hole maybe worn OS.

 

Thanks

The key on the crank is removable? I have removed balancer already.

 

The key is a half moon and is removable. I tried getting my balancer sleeved, but it didn't work for long, even with a bolt tapped into the crank snout. I ended up swapping the balancer and crank. Maybe yours isn't worn that bad though.

 

A key alone is inadequate on most types of machinery, and every place on a car. To stop micromotion of a hub and the resulting inevitable destruction there must be an interference fit on the diameter, or serious end clamping, or both.

 

Yeah the key looks worn on the edges. It looks like ill look for a new balancer and key replaced (any one know how to remove) and possibly tapping the end of the crank shaft

 

I removed the balancer pully and discovered the worn key! I replaced It, drilled and tapped the crank shaft (slow and easy) and put a bolt on! working great now! she purring once again!