428 FE SFI balancer?

[happystang]

Hi folks-

Any recommendations on an SFI approved balancer for a 428? Stock crank/rods, non SCJ.

My machinist advised against the fluidamper units. My professional products one kicked rocks when the crank key way failed.

[blykins]

Powerbond.  If you want SFI approved, it would be PB1111SS.

[Rory428]

I have used ATI "Super Damper"s on my 428s and 427 for decades, ever since NHRA started mandating SFI certified balancers on cars running 10.99 or quicker ETs, probably in the late 80s or early 90s..  For whatever reason, the ATI balancers have the timing marks of 6 or 7 degrees, which is very easy to correct with a minor modification to the original timing pointer. And the mounting pattern for the crank pulley (s) requires slightly elongating of the pulley holes to align . If you were to take a walk thru the pits at a dragstrip, you will find that the vast majority of the engines have ATI balancers, and that virtually none use a FluidDamper , TCI Rattler, or anything else.

[blykins]

To echo Rory, I would stay away from the Fluidampr and the Rattler stuff.  I've heard of a lot of broken cranks due to fluid based balancers.

ATI makes a great balancer, but it's also hard to beat a Powerbond, Romac, or an Innovators West.  Don't have to hone the hubs, any FE pulley will bolt right on, and the timing marks are dead on.  I've put Powerbond SFI balancers on a lot of 7500-8000 rpm race stuff over the past decade. 

[cleandan]

I've used a Powerbond on a few different FE's, including a 428 that sounds like what you intend to build.
The only "probem" I have had with any Powerbond I have ever used is wondering why other makers can't make one like this.
They simply bolt on, fit, align, and work as required without any drama.

Get a Powerbond and move on to the next step of your build.

[Jb427]

Brent got me a ATI would be close to 2 years ago now and my timing marks are spot on with a stock pointer.

[blykins]

Brent got me a ATI would be close to 2 years ago now and my timing marks are spot on with a stock pointer.

May wanna check again.  They are notoriously off about 7°.

[galaxiex]

I got a PowerBond street damper.
Not sure if SFI approved...

It's dead on the stock pointer at TDC.
Checked with a piston stop.

[Jb427]

Was checked when engine was mocked up with dial indicator and rechecked after engine had been run with a piston stop when doing some tuning.

I only chimed in as I am not sure if they changed something but I did not have any problems.

[Barry_R]

Echoing the crowd.  I use a ton of Powerbond on street applications.  Usually move to the Romac on more serious builds.  ATI for true race cars where fabricated pointers and modified pulleys are pretty much normal anyways.

[blykins]

I got a PowerBond street damper.
Not sure if SFI approved...

It's dead on the stock pointer at TDC.
Checked with a piston stop.

You can check the part number.  If it's a PB1111N or PB1111ST, it's not SFI approved.  If it's a PB1111SS, it is. 

[galaxiex]

I got a PowerBond street damper.
Not sure if SFI approved...

It's dead on the stock pointer at TDC.
Checked with a piston stop.

You can check the part number.  If it's a PB1111N or PB1111ST, it's not SFI approved.  If it's a PB1111SS, it is. 

Thanks Brent.
It's a PB1111ST so non SFI.
No matter, it's for a street engine.

[blykins]

I got a PowerBond street damper.
Not sure if SFI approved...

It's dead on the stock pointer at TDC.
Checked with a piston stop.

You can check the part number.  If it's a PB1111N or PB1111ST, it's not SFI approved.  If it's a PB1111SS, it is. 

Thanks Brent.
It's a PB1111ST so non SFI.
No matter, it's for a street engine.

It will be just fine. 

I've ran the ST versions on some pretty peppy stuff, including an 8000 rpm 620 hp 351C. 

[CV355]

I went with an Innovators West. 
https://innovatorswest.com/product/208-fe-damper/

Avoid Fluidampr.  Threads about Fluidamprs and engine failure used to flood mod motor forums.  I was steered away from them 15 years ago by the Tymenskys (MP Performance).

[pbf777]

Avoid Fluidampr.  Threads about Fluidamprs and engine failure used to flood mod motor forums.  I was steered away from them 15 years ago by the Tymenskys (MP Performance).

    But with all the threads and experts telling you to steer away from them (yeah I know it's not an uncommon event!  ), were any capable of explaining what might the problem be (or was); or were they just restating hearsay; and even if someone did incur a failure (often the subject is of a damaged crankshaft   ) that was attributed to the Fluidamper, how did they conclude such?   

    And the curious question isn't because I need the potential problem explained to me; I was just wondering if anybody else understood this, and then determined if it really would be a problem for them?  Call it.............an investigative inquiry on the subject; this rather than just lamb-blasting them.   

    Scott