Moparts
Affordable harmonic balancers
Posted By: ProSport
Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 01:54 AM
Which ones have you street guys had good luck with. My car may never see a track but I want something I don't have to worry about too much if I want to bang through a couple gears on the street. I've always ran ATI Super Dampers but there's no way I can afford that right now.
I don't have to have SFI but here is an SFI example for $124.99
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-Dodge-383-...=item335c20840bSummit has a Professional Products PowerForce for $82
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pfs-80013/overview/make/dodgeSome others such as Summit brand, Pioneer, etc...
http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-...p;SortOrder=AscMancini Pro-Street for $111
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/prostreet1.html440Source for $90
http://store.440source.com/High-Strength-Steel-Damper-Chrome-plated-New/productinfo/200-1083/
Posted By: 5spdcuda
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 01:57 AM
I use an SFI Pioneer. Except for the lousy chrome [ ? ] plating it's been a good buy.
Posted By: Locomotion
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 02:07 AM
I've been using the Pioneer SFI balancers for years on my small blocks. A quality product, no problems and look good!
Posted By: Pacnorthcuda
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 02:09 AM
I've been running the 440 source for about 5 years, no issues.
Posted By: 383man
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 02:09 AM
I use this one from Mancini the ......Pro Sport. Have it on two engines and its working good on both. And the belt pully's all line up in the stock location. Ron
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/prosport1.html
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 02:18 AM
Quote:
I've been running the 440 source for about 5 years, no issues.
Which model are you using, the fluid damper or the high strength $90 damper?
Posted By: Chris2581
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:07 AM
Stay away from the KMJ on on Ebay..it is a duplicate of the CAT balancer and is heavy as hell.
To me the 440 source and the Pioneer look the best and I would pick one of the 2.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:12 AM
I'm leaning towards the high strength 440Source, I don't really want to go with a fluid type damper.
Posted By: Chris2581
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:14 AM
I think that one would work just fine.I'm using a NOS Mopar balancer on mine,but would use the Source or Pioneer if it were me.
Posted By: notchbackcuda
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:31 AM
We've used the 440 Source fluidamper for years on a 499 stroker running 10.20 with no problems.
Posted By: sixpackgut
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:35 AM
mine has a CAT fluid style for 10 years now
Posted By: 383man
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:42 AM
I can tell you the Pro Sport one I bought from Mancini is made in Australia. And I have heard ones made there are usually very good. Ron
Posted By: Pacnorthcuda
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:46 AM
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Quote:
I've been running the 440 source for about 5 years, no issues.
Which model are you using, the fluid damper or the high strength $90 damper?
The 90 buck unit, not a fluid damper.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:54 AM
Quote:
We've used the 440 Source fluidamper for years on a 499 stroker running 10.20 with no problems.
Good info, and nice Cuda!
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 03:55 AM
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I've been running the 440 source for about 5 years, no issues.
Which model are you using, the fluid damper or the high strength $90 damper?
The 90 buck unit, not a fluid damper.
Ok thanks 
Posted By: Joes66dart
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 04:20 AM
My engine builder recommended a Romac balancer. I have been running it 2 years now with no problems and its SFI approved.
Posted By: StealthWedge67
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 04:38 AM
My 451 has the Professional Products one Powerforce damper. Regularly sees 6500, Never had a problem with it.....
Posted By: therocks
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 04:46 AM
We run Summits better SFI dampers.Mine has been on at least 10 years the kids 4 years.My 440 sees 6700 all the time and the kids 413 got raced and street driven tons.Rocky
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 11:38 AM
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My 451 has the Professional Products one Powerforce damper. Regularly sees 6500, Never had a problem with it.....
I was waiting to hear if anyone has ran that one as it is VERY affordable. I would think it would be fine for a street cruiser.
Posted By: dennismopar73
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/22/13 12:34 PM
We been running CAT sfi, for years no isuues,
We used to run BHJs they junk! spin on you.
Posted By: tobnHisglory
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 03:55 AM
Quote:
I'm leaning towards the high strength 440Source, I don't really want to go with a fluid type damper.
Just curious - Why don't you want to run a fluid style damper?
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 11:21 AM
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I'm leaning towards the high strength 440Source, I don't really want to go with a fluid type damper.
Just curious - Why don't you want to run a fluid style damper?
Lots of people use them with no problems, I've just heard too many bad stories over the years and I've seen too many broken motors with a Fluidampr on the front of it.
For what I'm using my motor for, I'd probably be ok with any kind of damper, just trying to weed out the bad ones such as the BHJ that was mentioned to be junk.
I do like the fact that the 440Source fluid damper is SFI certified in case I were to hit the track sometime down the road when the rearend and suspension are upgraded, way down the road.
http://store.440source.com/Fluid-damper-SFI-Certified-Chrome-New/productinfo/200-1023/
Posted By: Den300
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 11:39 AM
Quote:
mine has a CAT fluid style for 10 years now
+1
Posted By: rebel
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 12:06 PM
i used the Source Fluid Damper for a few years, thought it was good but my engine had issues with bolts coming loose all the time. an engine builder down here told me it'll be because of my fluid damper. so when money became available i bought a ATI Superdamper. surprisingly i don't have a loose nut n bolt problem anymore. also the Fluid damper was tight as hell to get on & off & yet on the crank snout under the damper i had fret marks. i had the crank polished & these marks removed. 4 seasons later when i stripped the motor for a freshen up, there were no marks under the ATI damper. i'm a firm believer in quality dampers now, nothing but ATI from now on.
Posted By: J_BODY
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 02:53 PM
run a stock one.
Posted By: dbran451
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 03:01 PM
Quote:
run a stock one.
I agree if this IS a street motor save the money and use a stock one
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 06:42 PM
Isn't the elastomer usually dry rotted on a stock one?
Posted By: CompWedgeEngines
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 09:35 PM
Get a Pioneer or Powerbond for what you are doing and be done with it and have some peace of mind.
Posted By: BradH
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 09:40 PM
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... Pioneer or Powerbond...
x2; The SFI-approved versions from either are both manufactured by Powerbond, IIRC.
Posted By: 72Swinger
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 09:46 PM
I have a used Fluidampr that I'm using, probably junk.
Posted By: rickstershemi
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 10:00 PM
Professional Products here great bang for the buck
Rickster
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 10:08 PM
Quote:
Get a Pioneer or Powerbond for what you are doing and be done with it and have some peace of mind.
You mean Powerforce?
Posted By: CompWedgeEngines
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 10:43 PM
No, Powerbond is a different company. Powerforce is a Proffessional Products like Rickster mentions.
Posted By: Sport440
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/23/13 10:59 PM
Quote:
Isn't the elastomer usually dry rotted on a stock one?
Theres still some out there in great shape. The one off my old 440 is in super shape, so its keeper.
You would need to find one off of a nuetral balanced motor though, 71 and before. So that might be a tough one to find, probably easier to just buy new.
But if you found a good one, I wouldnt hesitate to use it for what your doing.
Posted By: nss guy
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/24/13 01:28 AM
I'd be curious to what brand balancer the people use that complain about loose torque converter bolts. Always seem to be some people have trouble with flex plates and loose converter bolts.
maybe
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/24/13 02:08 AM
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No, Powerbond is a different company. Powerforce is a Proffessional Products like Rickster mentions.
Ok thanks I'll look them up.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/24/13 02:10 AM
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I'd be curious to what brand balancer the people use that complain about loose torque converter bolts. Always seem to be some people have trouble with flex plates and loose converter bolts.
maybe
That is a very good point Jim. I've pitted next to guys that have to retorque their converter bolts after every pass.
Posted By: skrews
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/25/13 05:43 AM
I've seen a number of Professional Products dampers fail. Pioneer gets my vote for an economical damper.
Posted By: BradH
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/25/13 03:53 PM
Quote:
I've seen a number of Professional Products dampers fail. Pioneer gets my vote for an economical damper.
Same here. I know of a Moparts member's Professional Products that failed during dyno testing and have heard from a friend of one that was sh!t-canned by a machine shop when they found it was the source of their being unable to get a particular rotating assembly to balance properly.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/25/13 06:00 PM
Ok so I'm gonna pass on Professional Products and KMJ. I think I'm gonna go with the $90 440source with the high strength steel and enclosed elastomer.
Posted By: Jeremiah
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/25/13 06:19 PM
FYI on the powerbond p/n:
PB1112-SS
Usually around $200 or a little more for the SFI unit.
Posted By: Get-X
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/25/13 09:41 PM
Quote:
FYI on the powerbond p/n:
PB1112-SS
Usually around $200 or a little more for the SFI unit.
If I'm spending $200, I'll spend the extra and go ATI. Pioneer for the cheapies.
Posted By: WHITEDART
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/25/13 11:13 PM
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No, Powerbond is a different company. Powerforce is a Proffessional Products like Rickster mentions.
Ok thanks I'll look them up.
I had a ton of problems with professional. had 3 in a row spin on me they just kept replacing them for free but to much work if you are going buy way of china remember you get what you pay for. I think just use a stock one and save up your coin then you can buy a good one
Posted By: Lefty
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/26/13 01:11 AM
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Isn't the elastomer usually dry rotted on a stock one?
Theres still some out there in great shape. The one off my old 440 is in super shape, so its keeper.
But if you found a good one, I wouldnt hesitate to use it for what your doing.
How do you tell if the old factory stocker is in good shape?
Posted By: Sport440
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/26/13 03:45 AM
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Isn't the elastomer usually dry rotted on a stock one?
Theres still some out there in great shape. The one off my old 440 is in super shape, so its keeper.
But if you found a good one, I wouldnt hesitate to use it for what your doing.
How do you tell if the old factory stocker is in good shape?
First, by a visual. There is a inner and outer steel hub. Between that is a 1/8" of rubber connection. Its that rubber connection that deteriorates and misaligns the two hubs making it junk.
Visually, if you can see cracks in that joint around its 360* perimiter, thats a bad sign. It doesnt it mean its bad, but its getting there.
On a good one, you wont see any cracks, like the one I have from 1970. The rubber looks fresh for its age.
On a bad one the rubber connection with cracks , you will even see the rubber pushing out or bulging out between the two steel hubs, that would be junk!
Another test, if you think you have a decent one, is , Does it Spin perfectly true on your engine, if it has a weeble wobble, then its junk also, no matter how well the rubber connection looks.
Ive got a few stockers here, and my 1970 one is in great shape while a 1973 externally balanced dampner is junk. It has dry rot, the rubber connection is pushing out in several places around its 360* perimiter.
Posted By: CompWedgeEngines
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/26/13 04:08 AM
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No, Powerbond is a different company. Powerforce is a Proffessional Products like Rickster mentions.
Ok thanks I'll look them up.
I had a ton of problems with professional. had 3 in a row spin on me they just kept replacing them for free but to much work if you are going buy way of china remember you get what you pay for. I think just use a stock one and save up your coin then you can buy a good one
Words of wisdom spoken here. The two areas I see more customers make mistakes:
1) Cheap rocker gear
2) Cheap dampers
Both bite them in the az* almost everytime. They are not areas to compromise.
Posted By: pittsburghracer
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/26/13 04:13 AM
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No, Powerbond is a different company. Powerforce is a Proffessional Products like Rickster mentions.
Ok thanks I'll look them up.
I had a ton of problems with professional. had 3 in a row spin on me they just kept replacing them for free but to much work if you are going buy way of china remember you get what you pay for. I think just use a stock one and save up your coin then you can buy a good one
Words of wisdom spoken here. The two areas I see more customers make mistakes:
1) Cheap rocker gear
2) Cheap dampers
Both bite them in the az* almost everytime. They are not areas to compromise.
GREAT advice Todd. Been there, done that and don't want to go back.
Posted By: Quicksilver440
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/26/13 05:19 AM
I really do agree about avoiding cheap Chinese parts....but when I was younger and broke I bought a CAT brand fluid style damper and have been running it for the last 10 years without issue.
I probably wouldn't buy one now....but I'm still running the one I have.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/27/13 01:56 AM
I also just remembered that I ran the Summit brand balancer on my DartSport for a couple years with no problems in the 10.20's.
I eventually upgraded to an SFI ATI Superdamper and some other things to run 9's.
I really like the black balancers with easy to read markings.
Lots of choices here, still un-decided.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/27/13 02:09 AM
It took me forever to find a photo of the Pioneer, does this photo look correct to you guys? Actually it can't be right judging by the pulley bolt holes, anyone have a photo? I can't go look at one at Summit as it has to be ordered.
Seems like Pioneer is the most affordable of the ones that you guys have mentioned as decent quality balancers. $113 at Summit.
http://autoplicity.com/products/425643-p...CFSJqMgodSm8Akw
Posted By: Joshs68
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/27/13 02:10 AM
Just going to add my 2 Cents here. I had the factory balancer on my low deck 470 spin. I picked up a used damper (TCI Rattler) from this site for pretty cheap a few years ago, don't remember how much. I like it for a few reasons.
It is black and easy to rear.
It is marked all the way around, including every 90°.
It's design will not allow it to spin, ever.
There is a used ATI on EBAY now, but it has a chevy pattern hub. I would shop around for a good used one.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/27/13 02:17 AM
I definitely wasn't leaning towards a stock one, I'm sure I'm gonna pound on this thing on the street every now and then.
My 9 second purple Dart had a TCI Rattler on it with no problems.
Posted By: 300by500
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/27/13 03:14 AM
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My engine builder recommended a Romac balancer. I have been running it 2 years now with no problems and its SFI approved.
Haven't fired my 498 with the Romac yet, but it looks like a well made piece and it fit well.
Posted By: Thumperdart
Re: Affordable harmonic balancers - 08/27/13 05:07 AM
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No, Powerbond is a different company. Powerforce is a Proffessional Products like Rickster mentions.
Ok thanks I'll look them up.
I had a ton of problems with professional. had 3 in a row spin on me they just kept replacing them for free but to much work if you are going buy way of china remember you get what you pay for. I think just use a stock one and save up your coin then you can buy a good one
Words of wisdom spoken here. The two areas I see more customers make mistakes:
1) Cheap rocker gear
2) Cheap dampers
Both bite them in the az* almost everytime. They are not areas to compromise.
THIS.............I`d save coin and get a good one if possible................kinda like rod bolts, rockers etc. These items take a beating and leave you crying when they let go.