Setting Timing

[Don Dada]

Well after a thorough investigation i am almost 99.9% sure that my harmonic balancer has moved on its center and is now showing a 5* advance at TDC.

Meaning when the 2 cam gears line up with there respective markings on the backing plate, and when the dot on the crank cog line up with its respective mark on the oil pump and i slide on the HB, it reads about 5* i.e on the second line from the left. (keyways are good)

Does this mean when using a light to set timing i use this second line as "0" degrees???

The engine is a R33 RB26 so instead of the 20* being on the 5th line it would now be on the 6th???

Thanks.

[TiTAN]

if the harmonic balancer has rotated you have bigger issues and need to pull it off and replace the key in the crank that stops it rotating and lines it up

[Don Dada]

The key and keyway is in perfect condition.

I guess the rubber itself has moved, although it looks ok to me.

[James_03]

The belts probably just skipped, check your idler/tensioner is still spinning freely. Then check belt tension is within spec. I would get the bottom end on TDC then start all over again.

I have never seen a busted key, even on rb30's with 600,000ks.

If the front bolt is within torque spec then it simply should not happen.

Edited October 14, 2009 by James_03

[Swiper the Fox]

you guys are not listening to or understanding smell.

mate i know exactly what you are saying. yes you do what you suggested in 1st post...but if it were mine id source a new balancer. I have a good unit here if you need one

Edited October 14, 2009 by DiRTgarage

[Don Dada]

Finally.... someone who understands english.....

Thanks for the offer but i'm on the next side of the globe!!!

Can a R32 GTR balancer work???

[The Dan]

Finally.... someone who understands english.....

Thanks for the offer but i'm on the next side of the globe!!!

Can a R32 GTR balancer work???

Yeah, true. It's impossible to send things to the other side of the world.

Paul you are a silly man for suggesting such a preposterous thing!

[The Dan]

How many ribs does the front pulley have? and does it have a thick divider between the PS and AC pulley or a thin one?

Sounds like you have the balancer off a series 1 R32 GTST. Either way, if it has moved, you need to replace it or you could kill your engine.

If it hasn't turned, then yes, you just take your TDC mark from that second mark

[Don Dada]

It is much larger than a R32 & R33 GTST balancer.

I may be able to get a R32 GTR balancer locally.... a R33 on the other hand is like gold!!!

[The Dan]

The balancer marks never line up on the factory balancers.

I think you should either buy a new balancer or just use the mark it lines up on as tdc.

I would be very surprised if that balancer had rotated on itself unless it came off a drag car. They are one of the best factory balancers out there and I'm yet to see one that has turned. I've seen them get small cracks in the rubber on the back but not turn

[Don Dada]

Back

Front

Engine at TDC

You can see the cracks in the rubber but no evidence it has actually rotated....beside the timing mark line up

[purpleskyline]

on loking at those photos i would be inclind to get a new one, as the crack in the rubber is rather a long way round,

and only risking the harmonics off the crank,

to cause to much vibration on the oil pump.

just my thought,

[Don Dada]

Can't find any info....

Is the R32 GTR balancer the same as the R33 GTR???

[Deano45]

Can't find any info....

Is the R32 GTR balancer the same as the R33 GTR???

no they are different. The offset is different due to the different alternators used.

I found this out on my 33GTR. Had to use a 32GR balancer to get the belts to line up.

[Duncan]

that crack looks long, but I don't think it has turned. all the marks on the rubber line up inside and outside.

[Don Dada]

no they are different. The offset is different due to the different alternators used.

I found this out on my 33GTR. Had to use a 32GR balancer to get the belts to line up.

Did u mean u had to use the R32 gtr alternator along with the R32 balancer for everything to line up????

It would be nice to see some pics of the 2 GTR balancers side by side. Anyone?!?

[Don Dada]

The balancer marks never line up on the factory balancers.

What do u mean by this?

Are u saying when the engine is on TDC the balancer does not necessarily have to be on the 0* mark????

[The Dan]

What do u mean by this?

Are u saying when the engine is on TDC the balancer does not necessarily have to be on the 0* mark????

What I am saying is that you probably don't have the crank lined up EXACTLY with the mark on the oil pump, so if you lined the balancer up with the 0* mark then the cams are likely to STILL line up anyway. The crank mark on the gear is the hardest to line up properly because you are always looking down at it from an angle so it can always be off slightly.

What I am also saying is that you are frigging around with it and being waaay too paranoid about 1 or 2 degrees on the balancer when chances are when the thing is running and you put a timing light on it, it will be moving around 1 or 2 degrees anyway so it's going to be practically impossible for you to get it right to the degree anyway.

If the balancer is in good nick, then use it and drive the car. If not, then replace it with a good aftermarket one. If you can't afford the ~$600 AUD for one then save up, buy one, and your problem disappears.

That is, of course, if there is even a problem there to begin with....which I think there is probably not.

[Don Dada]

The crank is lined up EXACTLY with the mark on the oil pump... i used a mirror to make sure it lined up properly.... even turned the engine a million and one times to get all three white marks on the belt to line up too!!!

I posted the pics of the balancer also.... what do u think of its condition???

[BOZ22N]

Is this the first time you have checked it? or have you been monitoring the movement?

It might be a silly question but what type of timing belt are you using? and how old is it?

If you are really worried about it why don't you use a dial indicator and check when you piston is at TDC to verify your marks etc? then you may be able to adjust your marks on your front cover to suit exactly.

Have fun.