[Dragncar]

Kinda like the other thread but for a high effort engine.
I have always been a BHJ but and they are not cheap, 535 $
Race guys say the ATI is the best and its only 400$
But 3 bolt and I do not really want to deal with it.

The New Pro Race unit looks nice and are only 335$ But are they press fit like I want ?
There are more performance oriented 4 bolt balancers than I thought once you start looking
.
I could always go with the BHJ.https://www.summitracing.com/search/...balancer%20455
The engine I am talking about would be a 540 with a big set of heads, pump gas.
7500 max RPM deal.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Pro-Race/439/64275/10002/-1

[PunchT37]

I’m using this one. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pio-872031

Not sure about 7500 rpm though.

[PAUL K]

Pro-Race is not press fit. I'd rate it as the best four bolt damper behind BHJ. You have a serious effort build that you will race a lot... I'd bight the bullet and spring for the BHJ if you need the factory bolt pattern.

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

Pro-Race is not press fit. I'd rate it as the best four bolt damper behind BHJ. You have a serious effort build that you will race a lot... I'd bight the bullet and spring for the BHJ if you need the factory bolt pattern.

Do you know of any aftermarket block serious effort builds running a BHJ ?
I would have no problem running one if other guys are having success with them.

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by Dragncar

Do you know of any aftermarket block serious effort builds running a BHJ ?
I would have no problem running one if other guys are having success with them.

Some in the 800-900 HP level NA. I'm not a harmonic damper
expert. In fact most of the time I refer to them as a balancer. At one point 100% of the cars running at Daytona used an ATI damper. That's a heckuva an endorsement. I've talked with several "experts" in the field that consider the BHJ every bit as good as an ATI damper. I like to keep things simple. If it's a high end build we use an ATI unless the guy needs a four bolt arrangement for some reason. The we use a clear coated BHJ. I believe Innovators West makes a damper that would work equally as well.

On a side note, JMO but one thing that probably kept a few of their dampers out of the race at Daytona was an issue they had with the outer ring slipping on the hub and the fact it took them a while to realize there was a problem. We went through several that spun the outer ring along with many others. BHJ was unhelpful in finding a solution to the problem. A lot of finger pointing was done, including them saying the spinning was due to excessive heat caused by spraying engines on the Dyno. Eventually the problem was corrected but I'm sure several folks that were left with a sour taste in their mouth. I know people that have not used a BHJ damper since.

[Skip Fix]

There was one balancer ProForm or Professional Products even SFI rated that come apart or rust really badly. I had one on my 78 that rusted like heck.

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

rust really badly. I had one on my 78 that rusted like heck.

That is my biggest complaint with BHJ and Pro-Race. You'd certainly think in this day and age they could do something to at least have their dampers somewhat rust resistant.

[gtospieg]

Darrin mentioned having a .007 press fit but I read in this thread where someone was looking for only .001. I was thinking that if Pontiac was happy with a slip fit then maybe it doesn't need to be as tight as .007? Unless maybe it's a max effort high HP race engine. Thoughts?

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by gtospieg

Darrin mentioned having a .007 press fit but I read in this thread where someone was looking for only .001. I was thinking that if Pontiac was happy with a slip fit then maybe it doesn't need to be as tight as .007? Unless maybe it's a max effort high HP race engine. Thoughts?

I would think 0.007" is impossible. I'm guessing Darrin intended 0.0007". I believe a thou or so is what is usually recommended.

[gtospieg]

Dragncar...If you talk to Darrin at Nitemare I think you'll realize the balancer you want is the BHJ.

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by gtospieg

Dragncar...If you talk to Darrin at Nitemare I think you'll realize the balancer you want is the BHJ.

I already have one from him on my 461. I have bought 2 of them.
Planning out the next build that I already have most of the parts for.
Its just that you do not seem to see them on 535s pushing 800-900 HP.
There have to be some out there. Just seems like the vast majority run the ATI. The question is, is there a solid reason for that ? Does it matter ?
And I might do that if the cost and hassle for 3 bolt pulley's is not too bad.
Or I can give Darrin another call, cool dude IMO.

[AG]

I put a light coat of paint on my BHJ balancer before I had my rotating assembly balanced to prevent rust formation and there is no rust after 10 years. I also painted my reluctor wheel in my MSD distributor and it hasn't rusted/oxidized yet.

[gtospieg]

Joe Touring...Thanks, I thought that sounded a bit tight. My machinist said it would go on but might never come off.

[chiefbigb]

All the ati balancers I have used need opened up for installation. I use .0005 pressed fit.

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by chiefbigb

All the ati balancers I have used need opened up for installation. I use .0005 pressed fit.

So what Chevy pulley do you look for to use one of them on our engines ? How hard are they to get ?

[ponjohn]

What about Innovators?

[slowbird]

Isn't Innovators 4 bolt? Those are really good balancers

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by Dragncar

Kinda like the other thread but for a high effort engine.
I have always been a BHJ but and they are not cheap, 535 $
Race guys say the ATI is the best and its only 400$
But 3 bolt and I do not really want to deal with it.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Pro-Race/439/64275/10002/-1

I had ATI make me 3 balancers some years ago for supercharged applications.

They put a Pontiac 4 bolt cover (for Pontiac) on the parts as well as 10 rib belt drive outer covers. All it takes is money.

ATI can do Press-Fit too.

Engineers do stuff for reasons

TV

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

I had ATI make me 3 balancers some years ago for supercharged applications.

They put a Pontiac 4 bolt cover (for Pontiac) on the parts as well as 10 rib belt drive outer covers. All it takes is money.

ATI can do Press-Fit too.

Engineers do stuff for reasons

TV

Thanks Tom. I will at least call ATI and see what a upgrade to 4 bolt and press fit cost. The ATI is 395$ and the BHJ is 535 $ so if its 140$ or less for the work its a option.
ATI makes a Pontiac balancer # 917160 (395$) and a #917161 (370$) designed for Buick/Olds but with a Pontiac V8. Wonder what the difference is ? Diameter maybe ?

[EFI Pontiac]

Innovators West !