Harmonic Balancer

In the middle of replacing the timing chain and water pump and have a question. Do I have to replace the harmonic balancer?

What kind of shape is it in? Is the elastomar around it pushed out? can you rotate the outer ring from the inner ring? If your chain is worn out, that is some high miles you have on the motor, you might, on the safe side, pick up a new one but its your money.

Motor has 85k on it. The balancer is still tight and does not spin. I was going to wash it up and put it back on. Replacing all this stuff because the front main seal is leaking bad from sitting 10 years. Figured since I had it apart, put a new gear set on too.

By the way, SUPER NICE paint job you have. Who did it?

A body man that has been doing all of our families accident repairs for years. He has never dissapointed us so I gave him my vette to paint after I stripped all the old paint off. He did a great job and costed me $3000. I had to spend about $1500 to buy some new body parts before the paint job though.

Look at the rubber in the harmonic balancer. If it is cracked or crumbling you will need to replace the balancer. Very minor cracks on the edges are somewhat okay, but a sign it's going to go sooner or later. If the rubber edge is good, put it back in.