Harmonic Balancer Source for 250 I6

[MercuryMarc]

Looking to replace my wobbly damper on my 69 250.
No luck at the local auto parts stores.
Found this on line at Damper Doctor:
http://www.damperdoctor.com/Merchan...ode=DD&Product_Code=FOR2501&Category_Code=FOR

$100 ($70 with a core) - Is this a good price for one?
Thanks-
Marc
(PS- Inspired by the recent "Top 10 Tips" thread by Bengoshi 2000
http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41426&highlight=harmonic)

 

[Mercury Mike]

=) Make sure to follow all of our advice, and don't get those 2.1 scraped knuckles!!! Damper Doctor works. Pay it, get it, turn the core in, install it, forget about it. =D

 

[Anonymous]

Damper Doc is the way to go... I just replaced mine with one of the Doc's rebuilt units. First Class operation, IMO.

 

[jamyers]

That's about right, DamperDudes are $75 after core.

Looks like there are three versions, be careful to get the right match.

Also, be very aware of where the timing mark should be (I think it's in line with the crank keyway). Damper Doc rebuilt my Buick 455 balancer, and got the outer ring 5 degrees off. They fixed it all right, but the lost time and shipping was a pain that could have easily been avoided.

 

[powerband]

I was wondering if there was any info on the dampeners from :

Fisher Dampeners and Automotive Balancing

My old Clifford's shop built 250 engine has a "Fisher" balancer. There was mention of them from a tech article in M&F's:

http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarti ... er_engine/

POwerband

Here's the old 250 with the Fisher:

 

[Does10s]

Here's another expensive source.
http://www.innovatorswest.com
I'm currently having two made up for Kelly's car and the ICE motor.

Later,
Will

 

[FLSHBCK]

I was wondering if there was any info on the dampeners from :

Fisher Dampeners and Automotive Balancing

I did a quick look around - as near as I can tell, Fisher is Fisher Concepts, which is now Vector Dampers?

At any rate, they show an application for a 300, but not a 200 or 250. I may shoot them an email to ask, since it looks like Clifford has used them.

 

[powerband]

I was wondering if there was any info on the dampeners from :

Fisher Dampeners and Automotive Balancing

I did a quick look around - as near as I can tell, Fisher is Fisher Concepts, which is now Vector Dampers?

At any rate, they show an application for a 300, but not a 200 or 250. I may shoot them an email to ask, since it looks like Clifford has used them.

Two types of harmonic balancers are available from Clifford for the 144, 170, 200, and 250ci sixes--stock and the Fisher dampener, which absorbs vibration and reduces wear and tear inside.

Evidently Clifford used to sell them or at least use them back when Clifford was selling an extensive list of six parts and building engines. The 250 I have which came with the Fisher dampener was built quite a while ago . I get no results when I search the Clifford site for "dampener".

I was trying to find out when the article I mentioned was printed that lists Clifford as selling the Fisher dampeners. The guy in the article is Jay Crouch, I don't know if he is a Cliffords' "contemporary". The web site is is the old one not used for a few years.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarti ... er_engine/

Is it possible the 250 uses the same balancer as a 300 or SBF?. I never researched that.

Powerband

 

[jahearne]

I am also intrested in a good dampner and eagerly waiting any news or leads on a timing chain for the 250, too!

 

[Does10s]

Is it possible the 250 uses the same balancer as a 300 or SBF?. I never researched that.

Powerband

From a crank-to-crank standpoint the 300 dampener is the same as the 250. There is a difference in the "backspace" (my term) in that the rear of the 300 pulley portion might rub up against the oil pan and TC cover. This also would be a pulley mis-alignment with the alternator.

Will

 

[80Stang]

A damper from the SBF will not directly work. In a 250 damper the belt grooves are on the damper, and in SBF it is on a separate pulley attached to the damper. This takes the belt groove at least an inch or 1.5" forward from where it should be. The SBF damper can be attached to the 250 snout anyway. And you maybe could use it as-is but then the forward moved belt has to be aligned elsewhere too (water pump, alt, others). I expect clearance problems in the front of engine, depending on what chassis it will sit in.

Depending on the performance SBF damper's design, it could be possible to have the groove(s) machined on the SBF damper. Cheap & still decent dampers for SBF are Ford Racing's damper ($90), and Summit's SFI approved ($116). Both have removable balance weights to get them to L6 friendly neutral balance (plus the Summit has spacers and sleeve so it fits all SBF applications regardless of year, although this info is useless to L6 world but good general info). This is the route I thought of going, now it just needs to check that the outer ring of the damper is solid metal and the grooves can be done to it.

 

[powerband]

I did a quick look around - as near as I can tell, Fisher is Fisher Concepts, which is now Vector Dampers?

At any rate, they show an application for a 300, but not a 200 or 250. I may shoot them an email to ask, since it looks like Clifford has used them.

I tried calling the phone number listed on the Vector Dampners/Fisher Concepts website:
http://fisherconcepts.net/
I get "number not in service". Phone number changed?, maybe could try e-mail.

I called Clifford Performance and was told Fisher no longer makes dampners and he didn't know anything about any other performance dampners. the Clifford guy said they use Pioneer dampners. I also asked about the article in "Mustangs and Fords" with info about Fisher balancers featuring Clifford's - Jay Crouch. I was told that Jay Crouch, "was fired years ago..."
Just another example of living with the "World Wide Cob-Web"

http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarti ... er_engine/

http://cliffordperformance.net/

http://www.pioneerautoinc.com/

Powerband

 

[jahearne]

No go with Pioneer. They don't sell to the public, no biggie. Email bounced. I called and a fellow looked up in his catalog for a 250. Nothing. Several listed for a 200. I asked if they could manufacture one for the 250. He said probably not.

 

[Gene Fiore]

Ok, so I'm confused... Does the dampner at Dampner Doctors shown as part# FOR2501 fit the 250 motor? The web site says fits Ford 240/250. Anyone used this on a 250?

 

[Anonymous]

To the guy looking at SBF dampners...If I recall, the Ford 4.6 has a serpintine belt grove cut in it(Someone correct me if I'm wrong). If they would work, it would alloy one many options and the use of a serpintiine belt.

 

[80Stang]

I wonder if the 4.6 has the same crank snout with SBF. The serpentine belt grooves are on the damper. That might well be looked into...its affordable too, like march MCH-1158 ($112). I'll get one and have a look.

 

[Does10s]

The 4.6 dampener isn't deep enough.
If you want to go serpentine, an EFI 300 would have one that would probably work.
Although I haven't tried it.
Will

 

[Gene Fiore]

I just got off the phone with Damper Doctor. They cleared up that their part# FOR2501 is the two groove balancer for the Ford 250. I just ordered one.

 

[XWDewar]

Guys what is the diam of the hole in the balancer? and what is the spacing of the 3 other bolt holes from the center?
I need to fit a trigger wheel to mine and have to bore out the center hole.
Cheers :

 

[80Stang]

The 4.6 dampener isn't deep enough.
If you want to go serpentine, an EFI 300 would have one that would probably work.
Although I haven't tried it.
Will

Will, do you mean it installs too close to the engine? I think that might be changed with a spacer. Is the axle diameter the same anyway?