Hey guys,

You may know that I am building a ZX motor for my 240z with a euro SU carburetor configuration, but I am stumbling over the harmonic balancer I should use here. I've read about thirty threads on this topic, from the 5 or 6 forums that I follow, and none of them is actually comparing the options against each other.

I only need one pulley, so I had initially intended to go with a standard 240z balancer, and if I could find one from Europe with just one pulley, even better. However, I've read in a lot of places that the factory balancers are prone to failure. I don't plan to hang out in the high revs all day long, but I'll definitely be getting into them periodically and I don't want my balancer flying apart.

I also read somewhere that the timing marks from my '83 ZXT engine aren't in the same location as 240z timing marks, so I have to use something meant to go on a ZX.

So now to my actual question: has anyone done a comparison of the various option for balancers?

Snooping around the internet yields three basic options: a factory balancer, the Powerforce balancer on MSA, or the $350-$500 options like ATI, BHJ, and Kameari.

I can't imagine that a street car should be running a $500 balancer, so I guess what I want to know first is are the two Powerforce balancers high quality (like Motorsport claims they are) or do they fly apart all the time like people on Hybridz are claiming?

Right now I'm leaning toward one of these, but if they are crap, or if there's a brand out there with something sub-$150, I'd love to know before I buy something.

 

Edited January 27, 20178 yr by Matthew Abate

I blew up my balancer just like Captain Obvious' picture using my Rebello motor..  I also compared the options as you did and ultimately decided to have the damper rebuilt by Dale Manufacturing.  The time I spend at high RPM on the street is minimal and Dale uses a modern rubber goo of much higher quality than stock 70's era.  Most importantly i didnt account for a damper when i had the motor built (mistake) so i didnt want to throw the balance off by using a damper with a different balance so rebuilding allowed me to keep the same part the motor was built with.  Its been probably 3,000 miles so far without a problem.  I also strongly recommend the overpriced Kameari Reinforced Crank Pulley Bolt from the Z store.