I believe that my harmonic balancer is slipping. When I put in a new distributor and timed my 79 305 I noticed that my timing mark on my balancer was way off. I put a paint mark on TDC and it runs much better with new dist. 50,000 volts coil. Then I check the timing just to be sure and the paint mark that I put on moved to about 9:30 instead of by the timing pointer (12:00). I am assuming that the key has broken. To my question, anything I need to know, problems, when I remove balancer? Also has anyone had this happen to them?

also might be the rubber has broken down so far it can spin the outer part of the balancer. nothin real specail to know, get a key for the new one just for grins.

x2 the keys dont break normaly...
the outer ring slipped on my 78 z ,,it slipped back and was rubbing on the timing cover..
rent the puller/installer tools at the parts store,,if u dont have them...
change the seal while your there,,check the timing chain,belts,waterpump,lower hose...:texas:

X3

+4 Buy a New one and a new key! Done deal.

OK I am going to embarrass myself a bit here.
I had the same thing happen on my suburban, the rubber in it was shot.
I took the belts off and got the big bolt out. I got my puller on and cranked like crazy, I couldn't get the balancer to come loose. Lucky for me my neighbor was smarter than me. He pointed out that there is a huge washer on the front of it. Just pull the washer out and try the puller again. It worked.
So if you don't know, there might be a big washer there.
Good luck, it's not a very hard job to do.
Mark

Camino, be sure to put the NEW balancer on w/an installation tool. No pounding with that hammer!

+ 1 about the hammer! Lots of people do that, but manuals tell ya not to, and likely for a good reason. You'll have to rent an installer, like at Autozone etc.
I haven't hear of the outer ring coming off, and clanking around behind the crank pulley, bit I'll bet it's happened.

Slipping outer rings on balancers has happened for ages. Had it happen on a '66 PontiacTempest Sprint with an OHC 6 when it was only a year old.
Of course that's just one of the things that went to hell on that car the 1st year. It was the epitome of a P.O.S. It was an education!!:twisted:

I just thought of the solution, I'm going to replace the balancer with a new key. I will use a puller after removing the big washer and then install using the correct tool. I'm glad I thought of it.

Thanks, camino55
:nanawrench: