Which balancer are your running?
 

I just ran into a problem while preparing my engine for the season. Every winter , I back off the valves and pull the distributor. I just adjusted the valves and dropped in the distributor. I hit the key and I get a fireworks show from my carb. WTF... I check everything a few times, dont see anything wrong. I get the balancer to #1 TDC, pull the #1 plug.... NO PISTON!!! Get the bore scope, the piston is not up, its 3/4 of the way up. I look at the balancer, the hub spun out of the rubber. The first question you will ask me is.. Whos balancer? There is a story behind it, when I bought this rotating assembly from a local engine shop, they talked me into using their SFI balancer, not the more expensive ATI. I should have gone with my instincts and not listened to him. Too late now.

So, the question is, which balancer are you running. I have an NA 540, Dart Big "M" block, Callies Dragon slayer crank..

ATI .. have run it since 99 about 290 hrs..
sent it back for rebuild this winter.. they said it was in great shape..
The cover is faded, and it was another $100 to replace. At that point, I would have rather of bought another one..

I have been real happy with my ATI ,,!!

ati for me 130 hours thats one of the only things that has not broke................http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp...=587907&t=9228

Which ATI? I would guess their Super Damper. BTW, I could not play that video link you posted.

yup super dampner.....the link should work......when it open just click play..............its the new 540 cam break in and first start





http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp...=587907&t=9228

weres the tail pipes? sounds good:D

i run a small tip in front of the pipes and extend the water out let with a threaded stainless nipple

I will check the PN.. in a while.

Back in 98.. the PN was ATI 917060. Got it from Chet Herbert Cams. Best price at the time.. I would think the PN hasnt changed..

D*ck

Go see Kevin at SK speed in Farmingdale.Ask for an ATI balancer and say its for JC performance to get my discount and no tax.

I would use a Fluidampner, hands down.

Thanks Jeff, I may just take you up on that.

Thanks D*ick, that is still a good part #..:drink:

Fluidamper here.

What would be the features and benifits of Fluid Dampener vs. ATI ?

I run the ATI super dampner,I'm sending it in to be rebuilt as good measure but it has been flawless for four seasons,Smitty

I put ATI SuperDamper. I bought it from Summitracing.com. Free Shipping.

ATI from Summit is on the way here. Good news is, the engine shop I bought the short block kit from will give me credit for the blown damper.

That's great news !!! Not too often that happens. :)

D*ick,

Yeah, i was kinda shocked myself. I didnt call them to get a refund , I just wanted to tell them it failed and to see if others had the same problem. He said it was the first he heard of it. He wants the broken damper to send back to the manufacturer. I guess it helps to have a friend as the shop foreman in these cases.

Vinny

Call Scott at Dyna- Flo he has Fluidampers on sale or around $15o right now. I just got 2 new ones and am puttting them on this week.

Vinny,
dont forget to mic the crank snout and check the press fit. They are suppose to be honed to the proper size. Should be in the instruction sheets.

And as they say it's not what you know, it's who you know!

If you're not running EFI with a knock sensor, the TCI Rattler is in my opinion the best damper as it dampens harmonics at all RPMs. It uses a number of "rattlers" encased in the balancer to cancel out harmonics. I've noticed as well that most of the top engine builders in the Engine Masters Challenge use them on their motors which are high compression pump gas motors which experience a lot of detonation which naturally would tend to substantially increase harmonics. Like the Fluidampr, the outer case with the timing marks is fixed, so it is impossible to spin the hub out, which can happen with any elastomer balancer. The ATI seems to be the undisputed choice for high RPM race motors though, and they can actualy be tuned for your RPM band.
just my 2 cents..