Harmonic Balancer
 

I see these anywhere from $75.00 - $450.00. Figured I’d spend about $200 on one. Am I cheaping out to much? Definitely don’t want an OEM replacement as my engine is considerably higher horsepower, but do I really need to go top of the line?

What's wrong with OEM replacement? Actually what is wrong with the original?

from what I can tell, the more power and/or higher rpm your engine makes = more vibration so a better balancer may be needed.

More HP and higher RPM I believe does not equal more vibration. (stress on parts, probably) An unbalanced engine creates vibration. No balancer can fix an unbalanced engine.
JMO

When you’re pushing more power and running more rpm you are stressing everything more. Plus the oems have a rubber ring that gets old and the outer ring shifts. They say 7 years on tires and belts, why not the same for balancer’s? I put a new balancer on my motor just because the original was getting old and I didn’t trust the timing mark any more. You can get an SFI rated balancer for a bit over $200. Now it cost me $150 to get it balanced. For what I have in the motor, it’s cheap insurance. On top of the fact that they say a good balancer is worth a couple horsepower.

Both of my front crank seals are leaking so that is the main reason I would replace my harmonic balancers with updated ones plus when I hit the water next season (2025) the current ones will be 30 years old. As far as I can tell they still work fine however as mentioned above, there is only the TDC mark on the existing balancer and on the block I just have a pointer, no scale at all. Dyno guy made a mark at 33 degrees on the balancer with whiteout which is what I have been using. My engines were balanced including the flywheels and couplers. Do I buy an internally or externally balanced harmonic balancer? Is this purchase even based on the balancing of the engine or do all 454's require a particular balancer regardless?
I have attached a pic of a potential balancer from Summit. No idea if this is a good choice or not. Looking for some direction. Like OP, I was thinking $200 or so each.
Thanks for your help
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9adbc2d05f.jpg

On internal vs. external, it is referring to the original design. Externally balanced engines will have counterweight(s) on the balancer and flywheel. The silver "quarter-moon" shape in the one pictured is an example.
So, you'll need to replace with the style you currently have.

What did you end up buying?
I just pulled one of mine and it probably should have been replaced during the rebuild. This is the original one to the engine and it has about 850 hrs on it.
I don't know if there is any real benefit in going much more than OEM stock for me. I do want the degree marks on the new ones though.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2d3724a600.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...42edd58941.jpg

I have these....
$130 each plus shipping , they are heavy.
used em on my Cig for years .. only replaced them because I was told I neded double keyway

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...423d117bc7.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a0e197e45d.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a70828a121.jpg

OEM is fine for what you're doing. A Pioneer balancer (externally balanced) and some timing tape for an 8-inch wheel will be more than adequate (paint over the timing tape with a clear nail polish... will last a long time). For a little more, Professional Products has them degreed already and can be setup for internal or external balancing (but they're chinesium).

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...nic%20balancer

I'd be a little worried about that rust though... what's up with that? Any water in the engine?

Hey Tom those are the original balancers from the old engines and I don't remember if there was rust on them when I took them apart. I think the new builds are clean? Didn't really notice anything and I've had the valve covers off a couple of different times. I ended up buying new balancers from scat. I think I bought the wrong seals though.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7b1b9dbee9.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a76ce9d85f.jpg