hey guys im trying to put my harmonic balancer back on but it does not seem to be getting tight. i keep turning the bolt and it is just digging in to the steel washer that goes between to balancer and bolt. any thoughts?

 

The bolt/snout of the crankshaft may be partially stripped, there is a tool for re-installing balancers for this very reason. (I have at times used the bolt to pull the balancer back on, but it is a little dangerous)

At this point you are going to need to rent or buy a tool because your end threads are screwed.

Chances are the threads a little further in are good, and there should be enough of them to do the job. You may need to run a tap in the crank to clean things up, and look at the end of the bolt closely as well, if the threads are boogered or full of threads from the crank, it will need to be cleaned, run through a die, or replaced depending on the damage.

 

ok so the threads look fine.. i went and got the tool for installing the balancer.. but how do you know when the balancer is on all the way

 

The bolt goes to full specified torque. Using a brass drift to tap it on would be fine, if using the bolt worries you. Early Chevy V8's had no bolt, you just tapped them on.

 

Don't forget the thick washer between the bolt and the balancer

 

In my experience on Fords, when the washer bottoms on the crank snout you are there....