Well, if you HAD weights on the front and they're gone now, then I'd say you already have a front to back problem. I say play with the clay. You have nothing to lose. This is the reason I pulled my 430. I didn't have it balanced when I had it rebuilt (and in hind sight the shop would have made a mess of it anyway, so either way I lose) and I had a very annoying vibration. So with the 455 I had a REAL shop build it and they did a perfect job. Very smooth! A good balance is worth every penny you have to spend.
Welp, I'd start by swapping the balancer with a non-rebuilt stock one. Pretty cheap and easy. If that doesn't do it, a higher quality flexplate would be next. But that's just me. John
Added a Dave Ray HEI. Car runs and sounds totally different. Vibration is almost gone. Feels more like an exhaust drone now. I will keep you all posted, but if all goes as well as the last 10 miles I will live with the small shake. Tons of power. John:grin:
Yes, but now it seems higher and less severe. Need to install my NEW in dash tach. I guess the repo guy finally decided to make a run of them. John
A word on rebuilt balancers. IMO they are a bad idea especially if you are building it more than stock. I personally would never trust a rebuilt one. Spend the extra dough for at least a new stock replacement. Thay are not that expensive and there is that safety factor involved also. Trust me, I had a balancer come apart while driving on a 350 Chevy and it destroyed the block and pretty much everything else. It was an old stock balancer that I should have replaced. I would not trust using a rebuilt item that is so critical. Anyway, that is my .02 cents worth! :Comp: Brian
Just an update. Vibration is still there. Disconnected the converter and no change. Flex plate actually is made in USA, saw the stamp while unbolting the converter. The Dampener Dudes must have pulled all the weights, because there are none. I will call them next week. Have done ignition and carb swaps with no change. Probably will be shoping for a balancer. Any one know if there is a common location for the weight? Johnou:
Well I got rid of my vibration. Put a 3/8 nut and bolt on the balancer starting at the timing mark. First I turned the crank to make sure there were no clearance problems. Moved the bolt one hole at a time around the balancer. Reved the motor each new location. I could feel the shake get better, then worse, then better again. The shake was still slight when done. Added a second bolt and now the vibration is gone. I am going to get some 7/16 rod and insert it in the holes. Thanks for the replies. John
John, I have used BB flexplates (no cracks) and used not-too-bad BB balancers laying around the shop. If you want to give them a try give me your address and I'll get them headed your way. Pay shipping only.
Thanks Gary, I put about 35 miles on it so far and am happy with it so far. I will let you know. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2459256977&category=33615 My 350 is on ebay John
