[Boiler]

How can I identify a RA IV balancer vs the std Pontiac balancer? Thanks

[wheneaglesfly]

I have a NOS RAM AIR IV Harmonic Balancer.
There is only one way to Identity if not in the original GM box.
The Inner Hub and Outer Inertia Balancer Ring are Timed together by an assembly line builder.
A Line stamped across both.
Once the Crankhaft pulley is installed you can not see the Stamped Line.

[GTO JOHN]

Originally Posted by wheneaglesfly

I have a NOS RAM AIR IV Harmonic Balancer.
There is only one way to Identity if not in the original GM box.
The Inner Hub and Outer Inertia Balancer Ring are Timed together by an assembly line builder.
A Line stamped across both.
Once the Crankhaft pulley is installed you can not see the Stamped Line.

Can you post the part number? and if the box is open post a picture of the line stamping as you described? I'd be interested to learn this also. Thanks

[wheneaglesfly]

Originally Posted by GTO JOHN

Can you post the part number? and if the box is open post a picture of the line stamping as you described? I'd be interested to learn this also. Thanks

The RAIV NOS GM Balancer is installed on my 1970-1/2 Trans Am right now.
I bought it back in 1991 - 92 from an ad in Old High Performance Pontiac Magazine. Days before the Internet. I drove to Wisconsin and picked it up in person from a well known Pontiac Guy. Also bought other rare Poncho Goodies from him.
I saved the Original GM Box for over 20 years. It was turning to DUST.
I finally threw it out into the trash last year. I do recall the Box had a date code 1975.

I am replacing the NOS GM RAIV Harmonic Balancer later this year with an SFI Racing unit I have.
THE NOS RAIV HARMONIC BALANCER NEVER GAVE ME ANY ISSUES.
SEEN 7,000 + RPMS SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES.
ITS USED NOW OF COURSE BUT SO IS ALL OUR PONTIAC CARS.

[johnta1]

Isn't the RA IV one heavier than a normal stock one?
(never had one, just what I have read)

[tom s]

I was told that NOS IVs had purple paint mark on them.Just helped a friend with one tha was on eBay.I was told also was heavier.Will have him weigh thematic.Tom

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by tom s

I was told that NOS IVs had purple paint mark on them.Just helped a friend with one tha was on eBay.I was told also was heavier.Will have him weigh thematic.Tom

Tom nailed it. Purple paint splash and a bit heavier than the regular Pontiac V8 damper.

[Old Man Taylor]

All of the RAIV unique parts that I have ever seen had a splash of purple paint on them.

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by Old Man Taylor

All of the RAIV unique parts that I have ever seen had a splash of purple paint on them.

I do believe that you're correct, OMT.

I recall seeing the purple splash on RAIV pushrods,oil pumps, pistons, etc. Not on lifters or guide plates in my recollection. Dunno about blocks as I never seen a RAIV block in person.

[tom s]

Block caps do

[RA462]

Originally Posted by wheneaglesfly

I have a NOS RAM AIR IV Harmonic Balancer.
There is only one way to Identity if not in the original GM box.
The Inner Hub and Outer Inertia Balancer Ring are Timed together by an assembly line builder.
A Line stamped across both.
Once the Crankhaft pulley is installed you can not see the Stamped Line.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check the one I have. I bought a 455 in 1995 and was told the balancer was a RAIV he bought NOS. I remember him telling me the RAIV had a closer tolerance on the balance than normal stock balancers. Anyone know how many grams a RAIV is?

[wheneaglesfly]

Originally Posted by RA462

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check the one I have. I bought a 455 in 1995 and was told the balancer was a RAIV he bought NOS. I remember him telling me the RAIV had a closer tolerance on the balance than normal stock balancers. Anyone know how many grams a RAIV is?

I do recall today my Ram Air IV Harmonic Balancer had Puple paint Dye on it.
I also recall today washing it down with Brake Cleaner to get it ready to paint Pontiac Siiver Metallic Blue.
The Purple was washed off.

Guys are right.
RAIV Parts were painted Purple. Like A Dye Paint.
My parts have the Purple washed off .
I tore down every 2 years to Freshen the Engine.
RAIV WAS MADE TO RACE FULL BORE.
REALLY COME ALIVE ONCE YOU USE AFTERMARKET RACE CAM .
TITANIUM RETAINERS.
TITANIUM VALVES.

[wheneaglesfly]

I will remove the RAIV Balancer from TA when I gett time soon.
I have had my hands on many Pontiac Engines.
I have seen the Stamped line only on my NOS RAIV Balancer.
Not done with a chisel.
A special Machinist Stamp was used.

[Rocky Rotella]

I was told by engine plant workers that purple was Pontiac's color of choice for identifying special-assembly (high-performance) components on the line.

As far as the R/A IV balancer, it wasn't any heavier than the standard unit. The hub and outer ring (inertia weight) were shared. The difference was the elastomer (rubber insulator) between them. The R/A IV balancer was "tuned" for a higher rpm.

The supplier differentiated the R/A IV balancer from the standard unit by adding a paint daub, at least 1-inch thick, over the timing mark.

[Ram Air IV Jack]

Originally Posted by Rocky Rotella

I was told by engine plant workers that purple was Pontiac's color of choice for identifying special-assembly (high-performance) components on the line.

As far as the R/A IV balancer, it wasn't any heavier than the standard unit. The hub and outer ring (inertia weight) were shared. The difference was the elastomer (rubber insulator) between them. The R/A IV balancer was "tuned" for a higher rpm.

The supplier differentiated the R/A IV balancer from the standard unit by adding a paint daub, at least 1-inch thick, over the timing mark.

This would explain why so many of the aftermarket balancers for Pontiac engines have footnotes reading, "except ram air".

[snakepod]

This makes sense. I've always wondered about this purple paint dab on the M-21 in my RA 4 car.

[dataway]

It's so cool to see sh*t like that