[scld1354]

Any advice on installing a repair sleeve? I also want to confirm that Pioneer HB-4128 is the right part...

[Schurkey]

1. Don't forget to seal it with the blue loctite packaged with the repair sleeve.

2. Pound it on STRAIGHT.

3. You drive the engine long enough, the rubber seal will cut through the repair sleeve just like it cut into the original metal of the damper. Then you'll need to install another repair sleeve--or replace the damper.

[mgarblik]

Use the compound that comes with the sleeve. It may be red or pink. I haven't seen blue packed with them, but that would be fine too. It is basically a low viscosity bearing retaining compound and the color doesn't matter. I would put a small amount on the balancer and the inside of the sleeve. Start it as straight as possible and drive into place with a block of wood and a good size hammer. Try to get it seated in a total time of a minute or so, don't peck it on slowly, once started, get it done!. You will notice one end of the sleeve is rolled inward slightly. As you drive it on, when the rolled edge contacts the end of the balancer, you are done. If you continue to pound it on and try to flatten out the rolled edge, it can pucker the sleeve and it won't hold properly or wear the sleeve quickly. I have seen these repair sleeves last 100,000 miles + on other engines I work on.

[steve25]

Both the sleeve and crank need to be totally free from oil retaining compound to hold long term!

[John O.]

Got a sleeve repair felpro kit from Ames. Doesnt seem long enough as it is about a 1/4 " from bottoming on front of balancer. Ended up rolling over edges of sleeve on snout cause it seems it should go down further. Just wondering if it will be ok or maybe get another one and start over again.

[Kenth]

I too have found the sleeve sold now is too short. Bummer!
They were OK some 25+ years ago IIRC.....

[flat-bill]

Just make sure that the sleeve is centered on the wear mark on the balancer snout. Billk

[lust4speed]

I've had really good luck with the following FelPro repair sleeve. Here is a link to it on Amazon but with the part number you can pick your favorite supplier: FelPro 16203 Repair Sleeve

The red Loctite supplied is as much of a lubricant for helping it slide on as it is a sealer when it hardens. I like to take the balancer and polish up the contact surface on the wire wheel before installing the sleeve. I also use an old cast oil pump plate to drive the seal in place. The solid metal surface allows me to keep things centered better than using a wood block that has a lot more give.

Edit: Just noticed the price -- I'd be looking elsewhere. The last one I purchased six months ago was $12.19, the one before that was $11.36, and so on back to when they were $6 and change.

[Kenth]

Is the Felpro 16203 longer than the Pioneer HB-4128 repair sleeve?

[lust4speed]

I know I have ordered a sleeve in the past that was too short, but don't know the number. The 16203 is 1-1/8" long and goes a comfortable distance past the contact surface of the seal. Here's a photo of the last 16203 I purchased.

I notice that they plan to change the stock number but do include what the new number will be on the box label.

[1968GTO421]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

I've had really good luck with the following FelPro repair sleeve. Here is a link to it on Amazon but with the part number you can pick your favorite supplier: FelPro 16203 Repair Sleeve

The red Loctite supplied is as much of a lubricant for helping it slide on as it is a sealer when it hardens. I like to take the balancer and polish up the contact surface on the wire wheel before installing the sleeve. I also use an old cast oil pump plate to drive the seal in place. The solid metal surface allows me to keep things centered better than using a wood block that has a lot more give.

Edit: Just noticed the price -- I'd be looking elsewhere. The last one I purchased six months ago was $12.19, the one before that was $11.36, and so on back to when they were $6 and change.

I just checked for the 16203 on O"Reilly's webpage and they have it for $9.99 Hope that helps.

[Kenth]

Mick, thanks for the picture.
The Pioneer sleeve is somewhat longer, still barely covers the inner groove on damper.
I would like to see another 1/16" to feel comfortable.

[gto4ben]

Is there a National 88186 Harmonic Balancer Sleeve that has a flange so the included tool pulls the sleeve instead of the usual push. It is made of stainless steel. I was going to order it but it was out of stock during the pandemic. I think an alternate part number was ENC 2684.

[VCho455]

The old school fix for a groove worn in the balancer was to not push the main seal completely in. Leave it proud about an 1/8" so the lip rides on an unworn part of the balancer snout.

I've used old motorcycle piston rings under the oil seal outer flange to space the seal out from the timing cover. That way the seal sits true in the cover.

Never had to install a Speedi Sleeve unless the balancer had two grooves worn in it.

[John O.]

I think the best way to go is with the national seal #88186 but it seems no one has 1 in stock. Auto zone shows them but doesnt have any.

[400 Lemans]

The seal that I installed in june, out of the Felpro full gasket kit was a newer design. The rubber part was offset so it would ride on a different smooth surface. It was noted in the directions.

[lust4speed]

Here is a before and after photos of the balancer with the installation of the Fel-Pro sleeve. The before photo shows that there are different worn areas so either two different seals with the lip in different places, or they did the above suggested spacing of the seal.

[Kenth]

Mick, there are two lips on the seal so there will be two wear tracks like on your damper.

[lust4speed]

While I don't disagree that at least the new seals have a primary and secondary lip, all of the old balancers in the pile have one groove worn in them. Well, except for the one in the earlier photo I posted. Change in design over the years?

[tjs72lemans]

I installed one sleeve on mine and it leaked when it was run on the dyno. The machinist running the dyno (he did machine work on my engine as well), put a new sleeve on and it leaked also. I had him order a new harmonic balancer. I didn't want a leak once it was in the car. Too much work to replace again at that point. Problem solved even after 2500 miles on engine.