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6/14/2018 11:01 PM  #1


A $5 fix for a $55 problem

I am still working on getting my 351 put back together.  I mocked up the accessories the other day and discovered a problem.  The crank pulley that came on the engine does not line up with the water pump and alternator pulleys for the accessory brackets I have.



The obvious solution is to use a metal spacer between the pulley and the balancer, but the problem is the crank pulley is centered on the balancer by a ring.  I thought about machining a piece of aluminum to both center the pulley and act as a spacer but wanted to keep everything as light as possible to minimize balance issues.  After measuring lots of things laying around my garage, I found that a 2" PVC elbow flange fit tightly of the lip on the balancer and was the perfect diameter to center the pulley.


I had to do a little machining to get the flange the correct fit but it was way easier than making something from scratch.  I also made 4 steel spacers so none of the torquing pressure is on the centering ring.


When installed the pulleys lined up perfectly.  looks a little off in the first picture but its just the camera angle.




here is a closeup of the centering ring and steel spacers.


From the front it lines up the pulley perfectly.


I will give all 5 spacers a cote of black paint and then it will look like OEM equipment.


If it isn't broken...modify it anyway! http://www.DazeCars.com https://galaxieforum.boardhost.com
 

6/14/2018 11:51 PM  #2


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

Hey Daze, that’s a neat idea. Do you have any concerns with underhood heat causing the centering ring to get gooey / chewy and loose some of its structural intertegrity?? Leading to other issues!


John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
 

6/15/2018 4:10 AM  #3


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

PVC is only rated to 140 degrees F.  IMO this is a temporary solution for mock up purposes and I would still machine a metal spacer using the PVC as a guide.  Spacers like this are not uncommon, but every one I've ever seen has been aluminum or steel.  In a world where the last thing a manufacturer seems to want to spend money on is hardware I conclude that there must be a reason for this.  Also, in my experience PVC that is heat cycled a lot becomes brittle and fails.  Its why they came up with CPVC for water lines. 

 

6/15/2018 9:13 AM  #4


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

I’m not to worried about the heat or the long term longevity of the pvc. Once the pulley is torqued down the ring has done its job and is not needed. All the pressure is on the steel sleeves. And because it’s torqued down the parts aren’t going to move even if the PVC fell out.


If it isn't broken...modify it anyway! http://www.DazeCars.com https://galaxieforum.boardhost.com
     Thread Starter
 

6/15/2018 2:12 PM  #5


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

Daze wrote:

I’m not to worried about the heat or the long term longevity of the pvc. Once the pulley is torqued down the ring has done its job and is not needed. All the pressure is on the steel sleeves. And because it’s torqued down the parts aren’t going to move even if the PVC fell out.

"Dr. Sally concurs with this assumption."^^^^^^
 


Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
 

6/15/2018 5:11 PM  #6


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

I'm thinking of the clamping force between the pulley and the damper. There is none. The clamping force keeps it from twisting and allowing the bolts from back in gout. A flywheel "sticks" to the crankshaft because of the clamping force between the crank flange and the flywheel. I think the same would hold true for the damper and pulley.


70, ragtop 351W/416 stroker Edel Performer heads w pro flow 4, Comp roller 35-421-8. T5
 

6/15/2018 9:41 PM  #7


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

HudginJ3 wrote:

I'm thinking of the clamping force between the pulley and the damper. There is none.

Sure there is.  The clamping force is between the pulley, the steel sleeves and the balancer.  
 


If it isn't broken...modify it anyway! http://www.DazeCars.com https://galaxieforum.boardhost.com
     Thread Starter
 

6/15/2018 9:46 PM  #8


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

Well I made this adapter because I didn't have any aluminum to machine, and I didn't think anything was available in the aftermarket (I hadn't looked) But then I was thinking about something TKOPerformance said

TKOPerformance wrote:

Spacers like this are not uncommon, but every one I've ever seen has been aluminum or steel.  

and it got me thinking maybe something is available in the aftermarket.  turns out summit racing sells exactly what I need and it's less than $20.00



 


If it isn't broken...modify it anyway! http://www.DazeCars.com https://galaxieforum.boardhost.com
     Thread Starter
 

6/16/2018 5:26 AM  #9


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

I have a Professional Products balancer on one motor that came with plastic alignment rings. Since all the bolts clamp metal to metal it has worked for several years of hard use. Check the Summit site for Harmonic balancer spacers.

 

6/17/2018 9:25 PM  #10


Re: A $5 fix for a $55 problem

You have the template now for the part you need. Since you have a lathe, grab some steel or aluminum and make something permanent.  I have the aluminum one on my car.

That part made of pvc will likely never fail on you, until you are on the road away from home. THEN try finding an easy fix.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

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