tmpugel

My engine started vibrating and seems to be getting worse. I suspect the harmonic balancer but not sure. It's 1963, 327, 300 hp,. Are they known to go bad? Difficult to replace? Would anyone recommend a particular brand?
Thanks,
Tom

Tampa Jerry

You can send the damper out for a rebuild. I used Damper Dudes in CA for rebuilds on my 66 and 68. The turnaround time was a few days. You may want to check your pulleys for cracks etc. A bad water pump bearing and or a bent fan blade could also cause a vibration. Jerry

AZDoug

The vibrations a harmonic damper, damps, you can't really feel.

I would look elsewhere, first, at TJ posted above. Are you sure you aren't getting a misfire on one of the cylinders?

Doug

vettsplit 63

My friend had the harmonic balancer come off the crank and get thrown into the radiator on his 62. They (250 and 300 horse engines) aren't drilled and tapped. And I don't know why not.

65 vette dude

I assume you feel this in neutral. Remove belts and see if problem goes away.

Plasticman

Does it vibrate when the clutch pedal is depressed, and you are stopped in gear (to ensure the clutch disc is not rotating)?

If it goes away, then it could be the clutch disc has "thrown" some friction material (assuming you have a manual trans).

Plasticman

MikeM

This is true. But they can create a vibration if the outer ring has slipped radially on the hub as the balancer is static balanced during manufacture.

You can check it out but I wouldn't just blindly send it off for a rebuilt to fix your vibration.

TJefferson2020

If it's a pretty strong vibration it's probably not a slipped dampener. Check your engine mounts for cracks or missing bolts - plus, check each cylinder to make sure they are all firing (you should be able to tell from pulling the plugs). The big things that cause vibration are usually stuff that runs from the belts. I once had a fan throw a mounting bolt (likely from vibration unscrewing it over time) and it vibrated like nuts.

To my knowledge, there isn't much that can suddenly go out of balance without serious malfunction (like the rotating assembly - you'd know it...)