1988 Mercruiser 3.0L Replacing the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley

Рет қаралды 11,764

4 жыл бұрын

I searched all over to find a video on this but I either found incorrect ways of pulling the balancer or nothing at all, so I made a video for anyone who needs it. The crankshaft pulley is the harmonic balancer. It's job isn't only to turn a belt or two, but it dampens the vibration of the engine. If the rubber in the balancer is damaged, you will have a bit of vibration and you will hear it also. Mine had the rubber starting to protrude and as the engine ran, you could hear it and feel it. It also had a "wobble" when running which can destroy your belt as well as other things if not taken care of soon. Forgive me, I am not good on camera. The harmonic balancer removal tool can be found at any auto store. For this video I will put a link below to one from autozone which costs $26 at the time of making this.
Key points to remember when changing a harmonic balancer: Do not use a bearing puller. Bearing pullers will grab the edge where the belt goes and will just destroy it and ruin the balancer further. Don't be afraid to use a lot of penetrating oil whether it's WD40, PB blaster, etc. let it soak for 10-20 minutes. On re-assembly, concentrate on the center if using a hammer to re-install. I prefer a rubber mallet to get started. Tap on rotation, tap one side, then the other, then the other in either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation to ensure the balancer goes on straight. Make sure the crankshaft key is lined up with the key slot on the balancer. More importantly, take your time.
The balancer tool will get tight when you are turning it. Most of the time, you will hear a "pop" which is normal. That's a good indication that the balancer has now started to move.
Safety is #1. Please use eye protection. Also, have a helper nearby to watch. My wife was on the side of the boat watching the jack to make sure I didn't move the engine or disturb the jack.
Here is the link for the harmonic balancer pulley from Autozone:
www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...
Thank you for watching and I hope this helps people out there that are looking for a video on this.

Пікірлер: 37

@TheCommo81 Жыл бұрын

Alternatively, Since it's a press fit, you "could" do what I do with bearings. Tools: Welding gloves, 100W flood light. Place part on the flood light for about 2 minutes. Do not get the part "nuclear" but hot enough that you can't touch the inside of it without gloves. While part is heating up, put a light coat of grease on the shaft. Take hot part and push on with your hand. It should literally slide right on. Just don't get the balancer pulley too awfully hot to where you warp the rubber or deform it. I do this with all sorts of bearings and it works well, after 5 min or so it contracts back. For this part, concentrate on heating the inside and not the entire thing.

@carterpdrompp1962 2 жыл бұрын

Tried to pound mine in with a mallet, got about half way and gave up. I just tapped a hole in the crankshaft and pressed it on with the harmonic balancer puller. I’m truly amazed that you were able to get it on with a mallet. Good job

@TheCommo81 Жыл бұрын

Yeah it took some patience. Well, it wasn't exactly "some" but a lot of patience.

@johnrocheleau1015 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome thank for this. I have the same problem. Got the harmonic balance ready to go.

@TheCommo81 3 жыл бұрын

Yw. Hardest part is getting new one on if your engine is still in the boat.

@samuelbadroca Жыл бұрын

Best video

@TheCommo81 Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@Cervantesaj Ай бұрын

Can you provide a link to the harmonic balanced you bought? I called my local marine dealer and they stated the parts is discontinued. I found some other options but I want to make sure I’m getting the correct one

@jandjmca 3 жыл бұрын

I am looking at the same problem of getting the harmonic pully back on I am going to try taping the inside of the crankshaft the hole at the center of the crank is 5/16" so it will take 3/8-24 tap,thread,I drilled mine a little deeper to get more thread, then use slide hammer or whatever auto zone has (rent)to drive it on

@TheCommo81 3 жыл бұрын

Well the slide hammer wouldn't work because the fuel tank is right in front of the engine under the floor, so i had no room really as you can see in the video. My crankshaft did not have a hole in the middle or threads, so "pressing" it on was not happening. I had to be patient with it. If there's rust on the crankshaft you can use 800 grit sand paper on it, but don't sand it too much. It's a pressed fit so you don't want to mess up the tolerance.

@CaptGregOlsen 3 жыл бұрын

Make sure you paint that timing cover - they are prone to rust right through to the timing gears

@TheCommo81 Жыл бұрын

It's been painted since with hi-temp paint. I also take a little oil, put it on a rag, and wipe things down. Keeps moisture away.

@bradybertrand1559 3 жыл бұрын

I have the same motor. My harmonic balancer turns about 1/4 turn then gets stuck in both directions. Any idea why it’s getting stuck?

@TheCommo81 3 жыл бұрын

It turns? It shouldnt turn as its more or less pressed onto the crankshaft. There should be no play in it at all.

@3rdEye__FPV Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the very informative video!! Do you think it’s possible for me to use this method to change my leaking oil seal?

@TheCommo81 Жыл бұрын

You could try. This is just for the harmonic balancer because it's fragile and using "other" methods to remove it could damage it. Been there, done that on a truck I had. If the seal is behind the cover then most likely. If you take the balancer pulley off you might as well replace the cover behind it if it looks bad.

@mvanderw379 3 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't it have been possible to make a 'reverse pully' on the brackets of the motormount?

@TheCommo81 3 жыл бұрын

With limited room, I'm not sure if it would have worked and from mount to mount, it's not exactly aligned with the center of the balancer/pulley.

@ESaiza 3 жыл бұрын

Where did acquire the new part? And how much was it?

@TheCommo81 3 жыл бұрын

Ebay and I think it was about $90.

@ozelot250 3 жыл бұрын

How much would a repair facility charge for this?

@TheCommo81 3 жыл бұрын

Idk, auto mechanics here charge around 68 an hr, i heard marine is more expensive but not really sure, ive never priced them out as i am a mechanic so i do all my own repairs. If i dont know how, i learn how.

@jkgkjgkijk 3 жыл бұрын

Should have changed the timing cover cause you were half there and it's corroded. They make them out of plastic now, if you can find it.

@TheCommo81 3 жыл бұрын

I didnt even notice, i kinda had tunnel vision. Thx, if i have 2 pull it again at least i have an idea what to do!

@svargascarlos 2 жыл бұрын

Hi . Where do you buy the new one??

@TheCommo81 2 жыл бұрын

Ebay is where I bought it, but you can try amazon also.

@jkgkjgkijk 3 жыл бұрын

Next time put a small scissors jack under oil pan. Ask me how I know.

@TheCommo81 3 жыл бұрын

Last time i did that, the oil pan ended up bent. I figured the motor mount was the best option since its designed to lift the engine. And, under the oil pan is the bilge pump and float so that options out with limited room.

@Lonchpad1 2 жыл бұрын

How do you know?

@Lonchpad1 2 жыл бұрын

How do you know friend?

@TheCommo81 2 жыл бұрын

I never prop engines using oil pans. Ive seen too many oil pans destroyed by that and with little clearance down there, i would prefer not to change the oil pan until i really have to. I can only get to oil pan from 1 direction and have maybe 6 inches of clearance between that and the floor.

@Arcturian1111 Жыл бұрын

I definitely wouldn't put anything under the oil pan. That's not good advice.

@Arcturian1111 Жыл бұрын

Great job man. Hey, I may have to change my coupler or tighten the flywheel, is what it came down to now, in my many many searches online and on forums etc.... Im thinking to just remove the engine out of the boat. Im having issues with a knocking sound. Its definitely not the outdrive making the noise, i since removed it. Heres the knocking sound. Most likely coupler or flywheel. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m9CEmrWom8nDooU.html

@TheCommo81 Жыл бұрын

Saw your video and glad you found the problem. I hope the engine is running better. It can be a nightmare getting the engine from the boat without the right equipment. I don't have anything that's high enough to lift it out, I'd have to make a crane out of 4x4's and mount a winch.

@Arcturian1111 Жыл бұрын

@@TheCommo81 The engine coupler was loose because the engine wasn't aligned, it was actually off about a 1/2 inch. So, I had to remove the engine, what a job that was getting the rear motor mounts off, I had to cut the rear mount bolt heads off, then drill into that bushing cavity where the bolts were, and heat up the rubber bushing. After that was done I was able to pry the flywheel housing off the bolts and spin the remainder of the lower bolts off with a pipe wrench to get to that lower nut in the transom mount. It's all good now. I tightened up the coupler bolts and the knocking sound is gone. I'll be remounting the sterndrive soon.

@TheCommo81 Жыл бұрын

@@Arcturian1111 OH. Glad everything's getting better!

@Arcturian1111 Жыл бұрын

@@TheCommo81 Yep she's purring nicely.