I purchased a used set of underdrive pulleys from someone and I do not have the harmonic balancer installation bolt. Can I just tap the pulley on with a rubber mallet, or is there any other good way to install it?

 

Somebody posted a DIY for this installation, in which he did not use the bolt. Perhaps it would be better than trying to tap it on:

https://mustangforums.com/forum/2005...with-pics.html

 

Do not attempt to tap it into place, that's not going to work. I used a balancer install tool and didn't try the bolt.

See if NAPA or someone has a longer bolt you can use.

 

Where did you get the install tool from? I tried my local advanceautoparts, but they didn't have any and recommended the rubber mallet method.

 

jahudso2, you could order the installer tool on-line
but you probably don't want to wait that long.

there are guys who use a rubber mallot and a block of
wood and once the pulley is on just far enough, will
draw it the rest of the way with a bolt.

 

We, ummm, they usually don't admit to it though. At least not in public

 

lol, i didn't want to put you on the spot!

i knew you would fess up tho, if you felt it would help
someone get the job done.

 

should i take the new harmonic balancer bolt and go to home depot and try to find one with the same diameter and thread pitch, but slightly longer to pull the pulley on? Is there a problem with getting a bolt thats too long?

 

Here's an old trick you might want to try:

Place the harmonic balancer in a warm (not hot) over set at about 200 degrees F for about a half hour. This will expand the ID of the balancer opening. Not too hot as the damper has rubber components to it. You don't want that to melt or get too soft.

Then when your ready to install the balancer, cool off the snout of the crank with either ice, or even better, spray it with a can of compressed air held upside down to "freeze" it with the liquid CO2. This will cause the snout of the crank to reduce in diameter.

Often if you do these two things, it will slide right on with only minor tapping required if any at all.

Just a thought. This is old school from when I was young.

 

Driving the balancer with any sort of force can score the snout of the crank.

Another thing do not reuse the stock crank bolt. They are stretched in the torqing process and should never be re-used as a crank bolt. Always buy a new crank bolt which is at any Ford dealer cheap. Ford part number: F5Rz-6A34Q-B.

My install tool was purchased on the internet from a tool vendor and was about $30 I think. An install tool is by far not the only way to "skin a cat", but it's the recommended and safest method.