Fluidampr :thumbsup:

 

Fluidampr
..and a coat of paint! I love the "OE" look.

 

ATI and Fluiddampr are great companies but there are other choices that meet the demands of high performance engines also. IMHO if it is a performance build stock dampners just don't cut it for me when there are so many inexpensive high quality balancers out there. I have run both ATI, Fliudampr, and other aftermarket brands on engines and I could actually feel the difference in a few engines we added these to. I am convinced that with the technology and the added features such as safety the stock ones have to go. If it is a totally stock rebuild I can see using a stock balancer as they will get you by. I guess I don't really have a favorite if money was no object I think ATI may have a advantage if set up properly. The Fluidampr is probably the best user friendly balancer. Powerforce is the best as far as cost and getting the job done safely. All of the above have good quality control and are suitable for any performance build.

 

Another option...

Jeg's makes an SFI approved balancer that looks much more stock,..in fact, once installed, you'd never know. They have both internal and externally balanced units,..both BB and SB. Jeg's claims these are good to 12,500 rpm. Reasonably priced...about $200-225.

 

I just talked to a local speed shop and they were selling some steel balancer and claimed it was good to 7000rpm.

Still unsure if its good or bad... haven't checked.

The reason I got started on this is due to a miss I can't get rid of and thought I might have spun a balancer and timming is off.

 

Do not get a solid balancer with no way to absorb harmonics. These are not even actual balancers they are commonly called Hubs. These are used in Blown race only type situations mainly where longevity is not a factor. You definitely need a balancer with some sort of elastomer or fluid that acts as one. There are many out there that are very good that are under $200.00. The ones I sell have clearly marked degrees on them to check full advance. I have SFI and non SFI approved. The most popular one is the 8' SFI 18:1 approved that I sell for $145.00 + shipping. These are rated to be safe at 10,000RPM the non SFI versions are rated safe to 6500RPM.
Not sure what your dealing with but sometimes different tabs and balancers are used causing problems using mismatched parts. This may help if you are having timing issues.
Small block Chevy engines have used three different timing pointer locations. Pre '69 engines have the TDC mark 2° to the left of the keyway centerline. The '69 to '85 dampers have the TDC mark 10° to the left of the keyway centerline.
The 1986 to 1991/1992 have the TDC mark 40° to the left of the timing mark. All aftermarket dampers, use the 10° TDC position.

 

T.P.P., does the 8" sfi ext. balanced balancer you sell for 400sbc come with the same imbalance as a stock balancer? ie replace without rebalance.
reason i ask, i have a 406 that has some time left in it, but after this year i'm looking into another build, this time i'm going with an internal balance. so i need a decent balancer but don't want to spend money on an ATI external when i'll be changing it soon.
and in response to the original question, i think ATI is pretty much the best out there. bhj is a nice piece as well.

 

Yes it comes with the same imbalance as a stock balancer.

 

Is it the price of balancer that is really deciding what everyone is using?

Somehow, I think the poll results would be opposite if all were priced the same.

 

Most definitely price. If you think about it a balancer is not really a power adder. Most people exclude it from their want lists for this reason. $300.00+ usually guys want something to make more power and neglect the fact that a good balancer can keep your engine alive and prevent catastrophic damage that happens when stock balancers fail.

 

I voted Fluidampr. The 350 in my Trans Am had a weird vibration around 3000 (ie highway crusing with my th350). My stock damper fell apart, so I bought a Fluidampr based on some recommendations. The vibration moved up the RPM scale to just over 4k. Which I never spent more than a few seconds at a time at, so it was good. (Later inspection showed the shake was most likely due to a crankshaft problem, judging by the wear on the TC collar).

A few guys who raced circle track cars recommended it to me. They each told me that when they switched to the Fluidampr, they eliminated bearing failure. The FDs were kind of newer at the time (~1991). At the time, it appears all the NASCAR guys were using them too.

So I guess it works.

 

Fluid dampener, P/N HBF-350, GM 305/350 Anodized, 6.250" OD, 68-95, $124
Seems like this would be a good price to me.

Diesel engines been using fluid dampeners for years. Reduction of harmonics are given up as heat. The elastnometer gets pretty much fatigued over the years of use.

This is why ATI recommends returning of their product to replace the elastnometer every 10 years.

BHJ has been bought out by another company and their present quality has improved.

Just my thoughts........

 

thanks TPP, i may be in touch.