VibRation dampener test?

[ShagWagon]

I installed a new one 8k ago or so because the rubber was sticking out when I went through a motor rebuild.

I suspect the new one has gone bad because I get vibration at around 1500rpm when in park and in drive at about 25-30mph when I feather the gas pedal.

I watch it when it spins and it seems wobbly but that might be my mind tricking me.

Any tests can do or be done to determine if it's good or not? It's somewhat new so I can't believe it would be bad out of the box.

[babywag]

Any tests can do or be done to determine if it's good or not? It's somewhat new so I can't believe it would be bad out of the box.

HA! Wanna bet it could be bad now/or was bad right outta the box?
Aftermarket parts are just crap these days.
Pretty sure I've returned more junk new parts than I've gotten good "new" parts.

Anyway you can see about runout, bolt a thick piece of copper/steel wire and bend it so it's just touching the backside.
Fire it up and watch, if it's got any runout/wobbles you'll get a good visual on how bad.

Not sure WTH they use for rubber 'bits these days, but I've seen so much rot on fairly new rubber parts it's not even funny.
Every bushing I replaced when I rebuilt the front suspension on my Caprice is already cracking/dryrotted.
The new leaf spring bushing on my wag are already doing the same.
Wish I had just gone poly!

EDIT: I'll add if I was rebuilding an engine I'd probably go aftermarket balancer. Yeah it's some $$$ but a rebuild is already a big investment.
I'd rather not risk any issues w/ some Cheapnese balancer.

[rang-a-stang]

I looked into a rebuilt balancer when I was spec'ing my build. This guy has reasonable costs and seems to have a really good reputation. He's up in Redding so not to far from you. I would much rather have a rebuilt original than a new cheapie.

https://damperdoctor.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=33

[ShagWagon]

I can't even recall where I bought it. Napa, o Ridleys, or some other part store.

I have the one on my parts Jeep. I could swap I suppose if that's a good idea? Cheap is good.

I just want to make sure that's the problem first.

[babywag]

Did you have the rotating assembly balanced when engine was rebuilt?

A misfire can also cause vibration or bad motor mount.
Could be other things as well.

[ShagWagon]

Did you have the rotating assembly balanced when engine was rebuilt?

A misfire can also cause vibration or bad motor mount.
Could be other things as well.

I don't know if they do that on a typical engine remanufacturer not. S&J should know what they're doing?

Switched mounts to the red poly ones. Seems good and tight. I checked at rolling in neutral and no vibrations to rule out any drivetrain issues. It's smooths out at 35mph and over 70.

Should be too much a job to swap out and see if it goes away I suppose. It's also possible I didn't tighten the balancer down all the way but it looks to be snug. Maybe I could tap it and wrench it to see if it tightens some more.

[babywag]

Any GOOD engine rebuild will have the rotating assembly balanced.
Should have gotten a sheet with numbers on it w/ engine??
Maybe call and ask them I guess? Good shops keep records.

Very easy to swap on your old balancer.
AZ and other parts stores rent puller & install tool sets.
DO NOT use a hammer, yes it works, but I cringe when I see folks beating them back on that way.

[rang-a-stang]

Two of the 5 shops I called when planning my build said "Well, if it has a balancer and you are building a stock short block, you don't really need to balance it...", I strongly disagree with that statement but am bringing it up to say the perspective is out there.

DO NOT remove the balancer w/o the tool! The tool makes it totally easy and there is no risk of damage. Plus it's free to borrow. I would also recommend replacing the seal (I have a new spare one if you want it). Before you put the spare damper on, look for a ring worn onto the shaft from the seal. Mine had one like the one in this post. Check out from post 48 and down on here:

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=180867&page=2

I paid less than $8 for the repair sleeve.

[babywag]

My opinion only!
it is no longer "stock" when rebuilding.
Rods get redone, different pistons, different rings, crank gets redone.
Different parts = different weights = not a brand new parts off shelf build.
Balance is likely no longer "stock".
Will it be ok, probably but why risk it when shelling out a few grand.
Whole point is to have a good engine that lasts a long time.
If the balance is off that isn't going to happen.
It will eventually take its toll.

just my .02

[rang-a-stang]

I'm with you 100%! I assume when the factories built these motors decades ago, they probably didn't balance EACH motor. They probably balanced one motor every so often and applied the same measurements to the next 100 or so. OR they "balanced" it with huge specs so it was "good enough". I think that's one of the reasons engines were only good for 100k back in the 70's and 80's.

BUT there are plenty of shops that will say factory is good enough. "Ahve beelt hunnerds a motors without balancin'. Dats fer dem high per four mans enjuns." I say "No, its for anyone that wants their bearings to last more than 100k miles under normal use."

[ShagWagon]

I'm not talking a beat down on with a hammer. Just a little tap tap whilst cranking down for some vibration. Maybe I never got on tight the first time last spring. Maybe I can get 1/4 of a turn on to see if that does it. If nada then I'll switch out my parts Jeep oem one see what that does and have other one rebuilt or something.

It's small vibration at certain rpm buggin me just says something isn't perfect. And I don't want further problems later so iwant to take care of it now. I'll swap out my parts one and see if that clears it up hopefully my next move. If I still have problems after that I'll have a real mechanic look at it.

Yeah I'll have to buy a new puller I think I broke/bent all my bolts on my puller over the years and about time for a new one.

They have an install tool?

[babywag]

Yes AZ does have both puller & installer kits for balancers.
you pay for it and when done return it full refund.
that's how their loaner tool program works.
other parts stores do same, nice for tools that you only need once or rarely.