55 Buick Harmonic balancer

[potositx]

Putting A/C in my 55. Need 3 pulleys on the crankshaft and I have one off a 1956 that has a harmonic balancer on it. The 55 does not. Will it work or cause the engine to be out of balance. Jim

[322bnh]

Jim
The harmonic balancer will not work on your Special. You would have to find another Special with the needed pulley. They came from the factory with 1-2-3 groove pulleys depending on accessories: power steering, AC.
Willie

[buickbonery]

These pulleys are hard to find. The 264 motor was internally balanced, so you don't need a harmonic balancer. If you don't have power steering, and only need a two groove pulley, I think my friend still has one.

[322bnh]

These pulleys are hard to find. The 264 motor was internally balanced, so you don't need a harmonic balancer. If you don't have power steering, and only need a two groove pulley, I think my friend still has one.


The 264 and the 322 engines are both EXTERNALY balanced, but balanced differently (neither the flywheels/flexplates or the pulleys/balancers will interchange). The harmonic balancer does not balance the engine, it just dampens harmonics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_balancer
and should be called a damper. Apparently the 264 does not need a damper.

I have a parts car 264 that has an aftermarket AC with and extra pulley and will try to see how it is attached to the stock pulley.

Willie

[potositx]

To make things more difficult I need 3 pulleys because of power steering Thanks Jim

[322bnh]

If you can get someone to match the rotational balance the 56 322 harmonic damper to your existing pulley from the 264, then you could use the 322 parts. There is a local driveline shop that can probably balance it (they balanced a 55 dynaflow torque converter). I know an automotive machine shop could balance to match if you were having the whole engine rebuilt and balanced...wouldn't hurt to ask. I noticed on my loose parts that the 264 pulley and the 322 damper both have increased mass opposite the timing mark, with the 322 having much more, so material could be removed, which is easier than adding material.
Just some ideas...
Willie

Just forgot about people that offer rebuilding service for harmonic dampers.