Just how critical is it to run a harmonic balancer on a 140? Just came across one equipped with a steel pulley from a 95 HP.

Frankford, De., eight miles north of Ocean City, Md.
1966 Corsa convt.

Any idea how many miles were put on the engine with the solid pulley?

Doubt a street engine with a solid pulley would "roll over" and die (crankshaft break) after a 1000 miles. Race engines are exposed to more "forces".

If / how well the engine is balanced may be a slight factor.

Everything with this engine is an unkown factor. Miles on it and any internal work that was done is a guess. Definitely has been apart probably fairly recently judging by appearance only. My thought is that they make high performance aluminum pulleys for the Vairs and people run them, are they ok but the steel ones bad because heavier rotating weight?

Frankford, De., eight miles north of Ocean City, Md.
1966 Corsa convt.

Solid aluminum is not ok. Corvairs break cracks with the balancer so not having one is a big risk.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 135 Corvairs and counting...

Chevy could have saved a few bucks per car if it had used the plain steel pulley on 110, 140 and 180’s. I’m guessing the harmonic balancer was a necessity that justified the expense.

The steel pulley is lighter, and for an autocross motor it might work out.
Most engines we come across at this stage are mixtures of parts people had laying around.

Pros / cons have been discussed in previous threads.

In 1977, Corvair mechanic put a solid (64) pulley on my “new” engine (new crankcase, new crankshaft)- engine completely balanced.

About 200,000 miles so far

My 140 has always had a balancer.

I should add that the same mechanic rebuilt my 140.

When harmonic balancers are $140 or more it's not uncommon to find a solid pulley someone has installed along the way. It's better to change to HB soon but I wouldn't be quaking in fear to run it a little.

Jim Brandberg
Isanti, MN
CorvairRepair.com

I know where you an get a nice new USA made in USA HB....

Bob C aka Dryenko
Dobson, NC 27017

Put the harmonic balancer on! There's 2 peaks that the balancer is designed to attenuate, one is at wide open throttle at 1200 rpm, and the other is at wide open throttle between 4400 and 5000 rpm. If somebody has had good results with a solid pulley on a 140, its only because the engine is never run at those rpms and loads. Not because GM wasted money putting on something that wasnt needed.

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Kevin Nash
Friday Harbor Washington
63 Spyder, Daily driver, EFI read about my project here: [corvaircenter.com]
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