[Danny Ray]

Hi guys, Have a question around a small journal 327 that I'm building.. I wanted to know if I could use the harmonic balancer from any of the internally balaced small block chevys on the 327.. The balancer for the 327 is much smaller and carries the alternator on the driver's side.(long swinging alternator bracket). The set-up that I currently have(350) has the alternator on the passenger side.(top alternator bracket mounts to the water neck and bolts to a boss on the water pump). I noticed that the balancer itself is to be I think an 8 inch balancer with the long water pump.. I am concerned with alignment of the alternator/power steering belt etc. when I install the 327.. If I can use the 8 inch damper, water pump and pulley set-up from the 350 no problem.. If I have to use the smaller original 327 damper, any suggestions on how to fix the problem with keeping the passenger side mounted alternator bracket.. I noticed if I were to buy an aftermarket damper it lists for internally balanced engine group but lists the same damper for the 283, 327, 305, 350 etc.. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks, Danny

 

[BPOS]

I think there are several issues here...I'll try my best. If you are concerned that the bigger dampener will place the pulley farther out from the front of the block...I don't think it will. I swapped out a 307 with a miniscule dampener for a 350 with a huge one and all of my belts lined up fine. (I used the pulleys off the 307)

If you swap dampeners from one motor to the other, you need to concern yourself with the location of the timing mark...somehere along the line Chevy decided it would be a good idea to change the location. Of course, if you try to put the big dampener on the 327, it probably won't work because the timing tab on the cover will be in the way.

Another issue to think about is the fact that the early dampeners were press fit only, and the later ones are held on with a bolt.

I'm almost certain that any balancer from an internally balanced will work on another int balanced engine. (SBC-wise)

 

[JohnZ]

Starting in '69 (with the long water pump accessory drive), the timing index line on the balancer was moved 8 degrees counterclockwise; from 2 degrees CCW from the keyway slot to 10 degrees CCW from the slot (and the timing covers changed also so the welded tab "0" mark moved the same amount. All balancers are a press-fit on the crank snout; on later engines the tapped hole in the crank snout, bolt and thick washer were added for durability reasons.

 

[TJS69]

John Z.,
I have a '65 327 in my Camaro that my engine builder installed a newer 8" balancer on. He removed the tab on the front cover and installed a bolt on timing tab from GM on it. Will this work with TDC in the correct place or will my timing be off by the 8* ?
Thanks, Tom

 

[pdq67]

Might just put a cheap "timing tape" on it and not worry about where the pointer or the notch is...

You would just have to index "0" on the the tape for your setup, that's all, at least I think.. pdq67

 

[Danny Ray]

Thanks for all the replies!!! I think what I'm going to do is run the 8 inch 350 damper with the timing tape.. I've got to degree the cam anyway so I will afix the tape at that time to ensure that I'm at true TDC on #1 for timing and future reference, etc.. I told my local machine shop to go ahead and drill and tap the crank for the damper bolt.. The 66 model crank was press fitted only for the balancer from the factory. I figured what the heck since the crank was out and at the machine shop I would go ahead and get that done as well. I do thank you all whom responded to the question.. I look on this sight everyday, just don't post/reply that often.. I have learned alot from the discussions and everyone pulls through when I have a question.. Once again Thanks and everyone have a great weekend.. Danny Ray