So basic question, is it necessary to mark the balancer/crank hub when removing it if the entire engine is being rebuilt? I'm not changing pistons, crank, or rods, but the engine and crank cleaning will remove any mark anyways, right? Do I just pull it and then set at TDC and reinstall instead?

On a side note, if I have it internally balanced while it's off, how would that affect flywheel & crank hub being already balanced?

Thanks in advance!

 

Since the damper is not used in establishing ignition timing, there are no degree marks to be concerned about. While it never hurts to know exactly how things came apart, it isn't going to make much difference when it goes back together.

If you have the rotating assembly internally balanced, you'll need a flexplate that does not have a balance weight attached. The damper at the front of the crankshaft is already neutral but it doesn't hurt to make sure that everything that is attached to the crankshaft goes to the machine shop.

 

Ok, thanks. I was wondering because the Helms manual says to under the "on-vehicle service" section, and there was a website that said to line up the arrow on the balancer with the timing cover line at 12 o'clock.

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

There's no problem with aligning the cast arrow according to those instructions but there's no need to add marks or worry about timing marks. Crankshaft/dampers that have no keyway may well not stay where you put them over a period of time anyway.

 

Okay, thanks again...one less thing to worry about.