Harmonic Balancer - Clean up or buy new?

[71SandbugCharger]

I have this used harmonic balancer for my '68 383 (with a/c). Should I clean it up, and what else would I need to do, or buy a new one (rather not)?
thanks!

 

[Dako]

Run it...

 

[Cranky]

Looks like the rubber is deteriorated or is that just the way the paint is making it look? Ever had one come apart while going down the road? It can do a lot of damage.....

 

[71SandbugCharger]

The rubber lip is deteriorated and little chunks are missing around the lip rim. What is exposed is very hard and brittle. No way to rebuild or test it?

 

[hunt2elk]

Summit sells a nice one for $100. I bought one for my 451. Peace of mind in my opinion. Like Cranky says, they can do a lot of damage if they fail.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-163383

 

[Wookie316]

I cleaned one up and it had a big ring where the seal runs. I ended up ordering a Summit one as well. Money well spent I think.

 

[62MAX]

I cleaned one up and it had a big ring where the seal runs. I ended up ordering a Summit one as well. Money well spent I think.

Fel-Pro makes a sleeve that fixes the wear ring for about eight bucks.

 

[Xp29h]

Piece of mind for me. Go new! If I were putting good money into a rebuild or redo, I'd go new on that! IMHO!

 

[delfinomuro]

I'm rebuilding my 383, from the looks of it it's been rebuilt before. But like they say "better safe than sorry" so I'm buying a new one for around $100. Better $100 than $400+ when all hell goes loose.

 

[super-bee_ski]

As del says...
Better to be safe than sorry..

 

[cryplydog]

about 15 yrs. ago I had one let loose an come apart, I thought I'd seen and witnessed about everything but now I have no doubt what a harmonic balancer does. replace it!

 

[71SandbugCharger]

Thanks for the awesome help! I sent it to Dr. Damper... John over there called me today to tell me that this one is actually for a 318 and/or 340 and not for my 383. He gave me a core credit and now and newly rebuilt one with a 3 year warranty, that will be for my 383, is on the way.

 

[Cranky]

Cool beans and you will have peace of mind. I'm shade tree with a lot of stuff but dampers are not one of them....