I am reinstalling, or attempting to, the harmonic balancer on my 22re. I just did a head gasket and timing cover job.

Symptom: once complete with torquing down the harmonic balancer, I could no longer turn the crank over with the ratchet I was using or a breaker bar. Prior to, I was able to grab the crank snout and turn it over quite a bit before it wouldn't turn anymore without more torque.

I know on a SBC, you CAN'T install a harmonic balancer too deep... but that is what this seems like.


Another piece of info, that I don't think adds, I installed one of those balancer repair sleeves. I just took it off, as I can get a new balancer for $75 or so.

 

Is it still in gear w/ the e-brake on?

 

It is an automatic.

but to humor you, it was in reverse w/ the parking brake on both when I could turn it over by hand on the snout, and when I couldn't with the balancer on.

 

Hmm just out of curiosity, how many ft/lbs did you torque the front balancer bolt to? Should be right around 116. Maybe you snugged it too tight causing the crank sprocket to get pinched which locked it up?

 

I THOUGHT it was 116 ft lbs. It is off now, and I tore the sleeve off too lol. I can try to re do it with my snap action torque wrench.

 

So after you took it off you can turn it over again? Is your balancer pretty worked? Like you were saying, I wouldn't sleeve it, just get a new one

 

I just ordered a new one. $70 after taxes and military discount from Advance Auto Parts. I got them to do a price comparison to Coolparts.com who had it listed at $75 (Advance had it listed at $108).

 

I can, with the balancer off.

 

So even when you tighten it to the correct torque you can't turn it? Definitely something wrong there...are you sure the chain is tensioned properly?

 

gears were lined up, and tensioner is brand new. Anything I am missing on that?

 

Did you put the bottom chain sprocket on before the crank sprocket?

The bottom chain sprocket should be installed with the tapered side facing the block.

 

Yep, it went on the same way the old one came off.

 

Try with the new harmonic balancer but something is wrong !!

For some reason when you torque the bolt you are causing something to bind .

Oil pump and drive gear installed correct .

I did get a Balancer once they forgot to do a machine operation and it was tight up against the oil pump.

Forsure something is not correct !!!

 

New balancer, and the oven @ 250 x 10 minutes, and it is on and still rolls the crank all the way.

Next battle - PS pulley is messing with me. I started to warp the bolt holes while trying to put it on. I am tempted to file the "closest to engine" edge of it to make it easier. Anyone know of place to get a new replacement?

 

After further investigation, the Dorman balancer is slightly different than the Toyota part. Trying to see if anyone else, throughout the vast internet, has run across this problem before.

 

Returning the one from Advance Auto Parts tomorrow, new one from LCE is on the way.

 

Yea. The problem was the old balancer.