I'm trouble shooting an opti problem. Is it ok to try to start the engine without the harmonic balancer on there? I was planning on leaving the waterpump off until i get it started as well.

 

Its only 3 bolts... better safe than sorry.

 

nah, my balancer is stuck on the hub, so my issue is pressing the thing back on there.

 

I'm getting some bad "Vibs" from your idea.

 

I wouldnt do it, it will vibrate the **** outta the engine which is never good

 

Should'nt be a problem at idle. At higher rpm's is when the damper comes into play.

 

The balancer is neutral balanced so the engine will not vibrate in a manner that you would notice. There will be some crank harmonics (vibration that you cannot feel that is caused by the crank flexing) as the balancer is not doing its job. This can cause bearing/crank damage from using it this way.

If you are briefly starting the motor to see if it will run it will not hurt, but remember you will have a very significant oil leak. I would not drive it this way. It may be better to separate the balancer/hub & at least put the hub back on.

 

Shouldn't be a problem if your just starting it for a couple seconds. I did it as well when i installed my opti to make sure it fired ok.

 

like some have said you will be fine, also with the water pump off will be ok. i do it to make sure the car fires up before i put everything back on. you balancer is not a press on type it probably got rusted on the hub, take some lube and let it soak once that happens you can lightly tap it off roating around the balancer until it comes off then you should be able to tap it back on with a rubber mallet.

 

I have a 95 t/a with a freshly rebuilt 385 stroker
and when I was adjusting the roller rocker with the motor running at idle
I remember I didn't install the balancer after I only had two more roller rockers to go I freak out and install it then finish the other two roller rockers
I think it shouldn't be a problem to run it with it out I did like 20min
and no problems here.