Author Topic: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow  (Read 368919 times)

dannystarr

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #330 on: August 29, 2014, 05:08:29 PM »
Holy Crap!!.. I was wondering about that, as the key looks a little mangled. I wonder why the balancer was removed, as you can see the beating it took at reinstall. I hate that... it can't be good for the crank to be slammed like that. They must make a tool that can take it off and press it back on without killing it. I will get some more detailed pic's of the keyway before this all goes back together.

      But back to my original question... If the keyway wasn't looking beat up, is this the correct alignment, factory position. Meaning it has NOT spun at the rubber?? I also am noticing some rubber bulging out in places. Is this ok?? Should I delicately push it back in? I will get better pictures but here is one of the keyway, and some of the rubber.... Danny

dannystarr

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #331 on: August 29, 2014, 05:24:59 PM »
rubber

dannystarr

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #332 on: August 29, 2014, 05:25:28 PM »
rubber

dannystarr

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #333 on: August 29, 2014, 05:25:58 PM »
rubber bulging out?... I'm getting scared!!

    Anybody have an extra Balancer in great or NOS condition??... Danny

Kelley W King

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #334 on: August 29, 2014, 05:51:23 PM »
if you remove the balancer with the proper tool insure that all parts are ok. the slot in the balancer,the key, and the slot in the crank. In the past I installed a new key with a questionable slot in the balancer and ruined my crank.
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69Z28-RS

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #335 on: August 29, 2014, 08:54:43 PM »
Hi Danny,

I agree with Maroman and Kelley....  Your key doesn't look good.    Clean up the slots, buy a new key, and ensure it fits tightly in the crank slot and the balancer slot, then install it correctly.   You have to make sure the key is firmly down in the center of the crankshaft, with it's outer tip *slightly down* from level, to ensure it slides into the balancer slot..  when you are installing the balancer, make sure it's slot slides over the key at the front.  Once it engages correctly, it's generally not a problem.   Yours seems to have been mangled by improper assembly in the past... but hopefully your crank keyway and balancer keyways are good..   WHen you are cleaning up the slots (for burrs, et), check the crankshaft snout for burrs as well and remove any extending burrs, but you don't want to reduce the circumference of the crankshaft when you do that.

The slightly bulging rubber between the inner and outer balancer rings is not unusual, and is not necessarily a problem; your outer wheels is still aligned so it hasn't moved on the balancer as yet.  If the rubber is 'cracking and peeling/falling out', then I'd be more concerned, but yours doesn't look bad to me.   The 'hammer marks' on the center of the balancer is also not unusual, as that happens often, but you can avoid that by using a plate (metal, or even a hardwood?) across the front of the balancer -center only - make sure as you are tapping it on, that you don't put any force on the outer wheel.   When the balancer bottoms out against the crankshaft, you will hear it clearly, and should stop, and install your crankshaft bolt/washer.  Torque to spec.   your *might* be able to pull the balancer on using that bolt, but generally tap them into place (using a spacer to spread the load as I stated up there), and then install the bolt.

If you have the overhaul manual, it should have instructions for that checking and reassembly also.
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janobyte

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #336 on: August 29, 2014, 09:35:42 PM »
Rubber looks about normal, yes they make the proper tools--for installation try a very long grade 8 bolt which fits the crank--washers and nut, than press it on. I have a very thick washer/spacer from an ARP balancer bolt I use. UTILIZE the NUT to press it on, don't just spin it on with the bolt.

68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

janobyte

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #337 on: August 29, 2014, 09:41:13 PM »
It's the original, resized:
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

janobyte

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #338 on: August 29, 2014, 11:17:17 PM »
Rubber looks about normal, yes they make the proper tools--for installation try a very long grade 8 bolt which fits the crank--washers and nut, than press it on. I have a very thick washer/spacer from an ARP balancer bolt I use. UTILIZE the NUT to press it on, don't just spin it on with the bolt.


Harmonic balancer removal tool is what your looking for to take it off, yea that simple, LOL. If it comes off easy, should go on easy , again that simple. Bolt will work as stated, just a little leery of stripping  it out if it's a snug fit. I've had good luck pressing them on. Make sure you change your seal.

1.align,start pushing it on by hand,square.
2. install your longer bolt with spacer/nut
3.Hand tighten till contact is made: spacer/balancer
4. use a wrench to tighten the nut, thus drawing the balancer in till it stops, as mentioned above

Like was mentioned prior to above, debur,use some fine steel wool and wd40 to lightly clean off any surface rust--use a little moly lube on the end of the crank prior to installation.
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

dannystarr

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #339 on: August 30, 2014, 12:24:49 AM »
Well as always, thanx everyone... Just back from Lake Tahoe for 4 days! The girlfriend and I have been together one year. She treated me to a $355 dinner at Ciera Steak House in MontBleu Casino. SPECTAGULAR!!

  So I got back my Distributor all dialed in, and the Alternator all bearinged up nice. No cosmetic cleaning, restoring or stamping. Cost $207 for both. 326 Water pump came in from Bill Mock and is sweeeeet! I thought I was adjusting the valves tonight and putting her all back together over the weekend. But not now I guess...

I tried last night to find TDC with my friends dial indicator. Had my girl hold her finger over the hole turned it by hand until it pushed her out and made that air sound. Friend gave me the brass extension rod and I set it all up in the hole with the crank one inch from TDC. it worked except as you know, it's not a hemi, and it doesn't come straight up. So the brass rod dragged across the top of the piston and I couldn't get an accurate measurement. It's not a straight shot. And the indicator turns too many times, and is too sensitive. When it finally goes down the other way, the thing has made way too many turns. No way to tell where TDC is at. I thought I would get to the top, then see it go down, then back it up and put it in the middle.... A lot harder than it looks, and sounds! The damn piston stays at TDC too long before traveling back the other way.
 
Ok SO... how do I ask for the crank key? Every time I try to buy something local they say all kinds of stupid sh*^... like GM doesn't have water pump bypass hoses, or GM doesn't have pressed edge fuel pumps and on and on. Half the time they tell me GM NEVER made a 302.. Do I JUST SAY ... I need a crank key for a '68 327?... I will buy a puller later today or tom. I am out of cash now with all these latest purchases and rebuilds. Maybe I can borrow one. Going to have to shut it down for a while... Bummer Can't take advantage of the girlfriend. Just gave her 9 hundred dollar bills yesterday. I am spent...

 Hey Jon Mello, don't you live in the bay area? I am 42 miles north of the Golden Gate, ya wanna help me?...Danny








« Last Edit: August 30, 2014, 01:10:13 AM by dannystarr »

ko-lek-tor

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #340 on: August 30, 2014, 12:44:10 AM »
Danny, Here in Ohio, we have a few car part stores (chain stores) that will 'loan' you tools like a balancer puller. You put down a deposit and get it back when tool is returned. Now, It might be hard to find someone at those stores that knows what a balancer or anything else on a car is that does not involve a laptop or a chip...but that is a different story.

Mmmm, steak!...better enjoy it now my friend. By the time I buy all the parts I need for my car, the only 'steak' I'll be getting is a Kentucky round steak (Bologna for the rest of ya'all).
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maroman

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #341 on: August 30, 2014, 12:48:00 AM »
Borrow a puller. Don't some auto parts stores loan tools? I THINK what you are going to find is a damaged key, hope the keyways are OK. If it is use an oilstone to dress the burr, not a file. I'm fairly sure any sbc key is the same. Have a buddy that's a machinist? Everybody does.
Doug  '67 RS/SS 396 auto I know the car since new

janobyte

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #342 on: August 30, 2014, 12:49:22 AM »
Autozones, Advance Auto, etc.. out here have free loaners for tools. Say you need a new timing cover seal, which you  should replace if doing what you are doing ,they'll loan the tool out...they are in business to sell parts. No specific key per say, proper size is what you need. Take your old one in to match up .


Sounds like life's treating you pretty good out there, good for you.


Also....threads are looking a little ruff ( crank pulley bolt holes) I'd chase them to clean them up some.
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

janobyte

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #343 on: August 30, 2014, 12:50:53 AM »
man,you 2 were quick!
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..

janobyte

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Re: My New '68 Camaro Z/28 Butternut Yellow
« Reply #344 on: August 30, 2014, 12:59:08 AM »
Danny, Here in Ohio, we have a few car part stores (chain stores) that will 'loan' you tools like a balancer puller. You put down a deposit and get it back when tool is returned. Now, It might be hard to find someone at those stores that knows what a balancer or anything else on a car is that does not involve a laptop or a chip...but that is a different story.

I've been lucky, went through a bad spell a few years, stores got smart and hired in mostly retirees around here....guys who actually know what your talking about!
Summit is almost just as bad nowadays, keystrokes. The old Summit store and Supershops is were you talked over a counter concerning HP parts.
68 Z/28  born with: 302, drive line, etc..