I'm trying to purchase a harmonic balancer and pulley set, because I have some black sticky stuff coming out of the harmonic balancer. I can see the front seal on my oil pan and it don't look like it's leaking (no oil on the ground either) but I keep getting ask is it for a long or short water pump? What is the difference and how can I tell? Also the crank pulley I have now is a 3 groove, however 1 groove is not being used. I think it is for an A/C motor. But it works fine. Anyone care to enlighten me?
Thanks
Donny

If you have a small block, you have a long pump. 3rd grove on the pulley is for the A/C. Not sure what the black stuff is without looking at it.

Sorry (not enough info) I have a 68 396, big block, so does that mean I have a short water pump?
Also whatever the black stuff is I don't know. When I replaced the lower hose it was all over it. Real thick, real (sticky) Too thick for motor oil, but a little thinner than tar? I know it's starting to get on my new hose. As I said it don't drip on the ground, (the car stays under a car cover in the same spot). The harmonic balancer looks to be factory however I have heard of a fuild one (I think?)
Donny

The long water pump will have about 1/2 inch gap between the back of it and the timing case cover. the short pump will be almost against it.

Donnie 68 was the last year for the short waterpump on the BBC in passenger cars/El Caminos. However lot of times the engines have been converted to the more common long water pump parts (like my BB 68).

The pullies and brackets are completly different between the short and long water pumps. Simple way to tell what you have is on the short water pump setup the alternator is on the drvivers side and AC compressor is in the Pass side, while on the Long water pump it just the opposite.

And as 464Elky said there is the gap betweent the pump and timing cover.

Sorry (not enough info) I have a 68 396, big block, so does that mean I have a short water pump?
Also whatever the black stuff is I don't know. When I replaced the lower hose it was all over it. Real thick, real (sticky) Too thick for motor oil, but a little thinner than tar? I know it's starting to get on my new hose. As I said it don't drip on the ground, (the car stays under a car cover in the same spot). The harmonic balancer looks to be factory however I have heard of a fuild one (I think?)
Donny
this sounds like the rubber dampner is deteaoited..if you get any type of cehimals ,like tolene or gasolene on it or anything thats end in "lene":dontknow:..if its a stock part that is...


:cali:

So my altenator is on passinger side, so it's a long water pump. And sticky stuff is balancer going bad? I guess the good news is I been looking for a set of chrome pulleys anyway. Anything special i need to know about the balancer?
Donny

A stock unit will do just fine but there are some aftermarket replacements that claim benefits. One thing though, your engine is internally balanced. The part you refer to is correctly called a damper. It's job is to dampen harmonic vibrations in the crankshaft, not to help balance it. The misuse of the name is common though. If you have had the material deteriorate in yours, your timing mark could be inaccurate.

That stuff coming out is "TEXAS TEA" black gold, sell it and get a 572 and quit messen around pulleys come with that engine so you save some money.
or
The black stuff is just a delayed compeltion of your black stripping.

Sounds like something on a wood burning stove. Your bonded ELASTOMERS may have come un-bonded in other words you may have slung its innerds out, sprung a leak , BUSTED an intestine or just plain old wore it out. There is quiet a few things that is used to limit vibration. My knowledge comes from the latest Summit racing catalog.

Chrome Pulleys have a tendency to bring about a Belt Squeal, be sure you emery the inside of the
Pulley Groves good and save yourself the aggravation.:dontknow: