Front main seal question

[klaird]

Can a knurled harmonic balancer mate up to a rubber (not rope) front main seal and be leakproof? 3.8 engine has knurled (grooved) harmonic balancer but engine rebuild kit came with rubber seal.

 

[liquidh8]

My 3.8 (86-7 LC2) had a rope seal originally, and the balancer was not grooved. I don't think they are supposed to be grooved. I converted mine from rope seal s to the rubber seals.

You could get the repair sleave for the balancer and use the rubber seal.

 

[klaird]

I have two original 3.8 buick built v6s. One from a 1984 olds cutlass and another from a 1985 olds cutlass and they both have Knurled harmonic balancers (stock). Anybody else have any experience with runninga knurled balancer on a rubber (non rope) seal?

 

[liquidh8]

does it look like this? Older balancer, just curious if yours looks like this.

Maybe someone will chime in to help you, I have never seen a grooved balancer factory on a buick 3.8 engine. Rope seal or not.

 

[klaird]

Here are pics of the harmonic balancers. I believe them to be 100% original to the cars they came off of, but I can't be 100% sure. Both are from 3.8L v6 engine code A

 

[liquidh8]

Ok, I have seen them like that. Just wanted to be sure of the "grooves" you were talking about.

The front rubber seals, usually require you to get the "repair sleeve" for the balancer to give it a nice smooth surface. I have used them on all sorts of engines, Chevy, ford, buick, etc.

You can't have those grooves run on the rubber lip, it will wear it down and tear it up.

I am looking around to find some tech info for you.