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View Full Version : Ls front assessories not in line?

boostin05blacks
08-01-2012, 09:20 AM
Ok guy/gals. Ive run into a problem that I can't seem fix. I've talked to some people in the industry and no one has any solid answers. Btw thanks for your time Travis! I bought a gm crate lsx454 straight for gm. Come with the harmonic balancer already installed. I then found a full used setup and bought it all (was told it had very low miles). That whole set up came with a harmonic balancer but I decided to run the one that came with the motor. So when I brought the car to the tuner for the first time and he was trying to do the crank relearn (revs the motor up to 4k) he says it threw the belt due to it not being in line. That the crank is sunk in 1/4". So I get the car back and take look..now I come to the conclusion it was one of two things. Either the crank is in too far causing it to throw the belt or when the motor torqued the belt touched the upper control arm on the drivers side and caused it to throw it.(which I plan to file down some more- has about 1/2-3/4" of clearance ATM.)


So being that I had the other harmonic balancer I decided to change it to the one that came with the assessories. Changed it out and here's a comparison.
One that came with the lsx454 motor on the left and one the left the one that I bought as a kit used.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/muscle%20cars/9d8bba55.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/muscle%20cars/e4a128e9.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/muscle%20cars/832a0edd.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/muscle%20cars/367538ca.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/muscle%20cars/9f38d62e.jpg


So I swapped them out and figured the problem was solved. Go to start the car this past saturday and I can hear a repeatedly slapping. Go to the front of the motor to see the passenger tensioner slapping repeatedly and the belt going in and coming off the harmonic balancer is almost ribbing in a way like its trying to walk off but is not. But it does not throw the belt. On Sunday I start the car again.. This time no slapping of any kind and seems to be on just fine.. Started the car again later on Sunday same thing..totally fine. I'm lost on what to do..aside front buy a whole new front end setup. The only thing I can think now is to shave the mounting bracket that houses the alternator, power steering pump and drivers tensioner. I'm thinking shaving the back side a 1/4 " will help the problem...any one have any suggestions or input it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Steven


One with the old harmonic balancer:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/muscle%20cars/730fd50c.jpg
hifi875
08-01-2012, 03:36 PM
I believe correct me if i am wrong, but you have to match the balancer with the accy system. a corvette system like your would require a vette balancer, like wise a truck accy system uses a truck balancer. camaro(4th gen) and so on. I know i had to use a vette one on my setup
65_LS1_T56
08-01-2012, 06:08 PM
I believe correct me if i am wrong, but you have to match the balancer with the accy system. a corvette system like your would require a vette balancer, like wise a truck accy system uses a truck balancer. camaro(4th gen) and so on. I know i had to use a vette one on my setup

Very true. Found this site awhile back with some good swap info on it. Not sure why the picture doesn't work (not for me anyway) showing the balancers all next to each other: here (http://www.nookandtranny.com/Info_LSx.php)
aray327
08-01-2012, 06:39 PM
take a straight edge (like a long level or metal yard stick) and lay it across the balancer and across your accessories. It will visually show you if they are all inline with each other.
parsonsj
08-01-2012, 07:10 PM
Steven, those two dampers look the same to me. I don't see why swapping them would make any difference at all.
Mkelcy
08-01-2012, 07:55 PM
Steven, those two dampers look the same to me. I don't see why swapping them would make any difference at all.

x2. Is the belt the right length and not worn?
boostin05blacks
08-01-2012, 10:21 PM
I believe correct me if i am wrong, but you have to match the balancer with the accy system. a corvette system like your would require a vette balancer, like wise a truck accy system uses a truck balancer. camaro(4th gen) and so on. I know i had to use a vette one on my setup

I have checked that already. They are all from a c6 vette. The fbody stuff sits 3/4" out further and the truck stuff sits another 3/4" out. Thanks for the reply.

Very true. Found this site awhile back with some good swap info on it. Not sure why the picture doesn't work (not for me anyway) showing the balancers all next to each other: here (http://www.nookandtranny.com/Info_LSx.php)

Great link man. All types of good info on there. Again I've checked this already. Thank you.

take a straight edge (like a long level or metal yard stick) and lay it across the balancer and across your accessories. It will visually show you if they are all inline with each other.

Did that see the pictures below. Seems like the crank is in 3/16"exactlly.

Steven, those two dampers look the same to me. I don't see why swapping them would make any difference at all.

I know that's what I though when I pulled the one that came with the motor off. I put the one I bought used on just to make sure though. I was over looking at it again tonight and can't seem to find the problem.

x2. Is the belt the right length and not worn?

Belt is the correct length and is brand new.

Here's some picture with a straight edge from tonight. As stated the crank is 3/16 too far in in relation to the alt, power steering and driver tensioner. Thanks for all the replys and help guys..hopefully I can get a soluition to this issue.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/3d725162.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/ab19d061.jpg

And here's on of the drivers tensioner..
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b128/storm1112885/f469850a.jpg
aray327
08-02-2012, 03:24 PM
I experienced the same issue on my car. My issue was the alignment of the accessories. I removed them (changed the PS pump) and reinstalled. All the same accessories. However, i discovered the accessories were slightly out of alignment with the balancer and AC pump when I reinstalled. I say all that to say...

After looking at your photos, it looks like the straight edge is not going completely across the balancer. Use that to determine both distance from the block and the straightness of the balancer in respect to the other accessories. Try to get the straight edge across the balancer and go all the way across the alternator pulley. Maybe use a longer one. That 3/16" was more than my variance which was enough to squeal my belt and cause it to jump bead on the AC compressor.

This may be an illusion but it looks like your belt is not running straight across the idler. The photo looks as if the belt is closer to the block near the balancer and further from the block near the PS pump. If that is true, your belt is not running straight across all the pulleys.

I suggest you loosen the accessory bracket and carefully tighten it as you confirm with the straight edge all pulleys are in alignment.

Hope that helps