A balancer this quick is odd. I can easily see the GM Feeling in that price you listed.

Look for the cracks. That is the most evident failure that we've seen. I did see a dented balancer once on a junkyard motor..but I assumed it happened coming ouf of the vehicle.

I would not ever consider offering something if it wasn't in good shape, unless stated otherwise.. the balancer is used and ready to serve further. Having gone through two motors in under a month...I've got a ton of parts laying here that need to go to new homes.

I tried to see behind the balancer to check the rubber for cracks, but there is a metal ring on the back side (it has drilled holes all the way around it). You cannot see anything but the outer edge of the balancer.

I took the belts off and I can make it wobble with just 1 finger. I am sure that should not wobble that easy, or should it?

Nope, it really shouldn't move much at all unless the crank is moving with it. Sounds like you've confirmed your problem.

You can buy with confidence from Bill.

Well, my balancer has taken a major turn for the worse. It is now wobbling so bad that the belts are slipping and it sounds like it is going to explode.

Bill is sending me a used replacement so I have it in time switch it out this weekend.

Thanks Bill for helping me out !!

Welcome..

Prep yourself.

You'll need the puller and especially get the bolts ahead of time. Our balancers have ridiculously small bolts needed to pull them and they aren't in any standard puller kits.

Well, I got the old HB off. This was NOT easy. The HB on a 2001 is VERY different than the older models. The 01 HB has 2 layers of rubber and has an additional plate on the inside. The first layer of rubber is just like the older model, but the second layer sits inside and is attached to the inner wall and has a separate spoked support plate. The inner wall is also much thicker and the whole HB is much heavier and much more substantial.

When my HB went bad that support plate for the second layer actually shifted inside (rotated) and blocked the holes for the balancer remover. I had to use a screw driver and reposition the plate (this was a PITA). The job took a total of 4 hours (it only took 5 minutes to get the main bolt out).

This is tough to explain, so here are some pictures.

(Sorry, but for some reason, you have to copy and paste the address of the pictures)

Here is a pic of the comparison (the one on the left is the 01 model)

http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id...5Fd3Ig=&size=l

The old ones failed by cracking towards the outer edge of the rubber, but the design of the 01 model makes it fail on the inner edge of the rubber, like mine did
Here is a pic of mine (definitely bad).
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id...5Fd3Ig=&size=l

Here is a close up of the 01 model
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id...5Fd3Ig=&size=l

Here is a close up of the older model:
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id...5Fd3Ig=&size=l

So, here is my question. Should I install the older HB, or is it not going to work? I do not want to have to pull it off again if it does not work.

What year is the "older" one from? It'* hard to tell for sure with the different angles of the pictures, but it appears as if the key-way points to a slightly different position on the 3x and 18x rings. I'd say that if you want to be sure, get the one that is called for.

Could it be possible.....

Jeff... there is a chance.. and now that you found this..you may have solved a problem I am having as well. I may have mixed up the balancers and not noticed any differences. I can't see the pics here (the four letter place) and will hop on this asap when I get home.

Meanwhile.. You have a pm regarding options/money.

Bill

Ok...got to the pics.. overall..they look reasonably the same. The rings appear to be in the right spots.

The balance is correct or incorrect?

GMPD does show the 96-99 different than 00-03 for Bonneville. GP is through 03 as are many other cars with this motor...this is odd.

Sorry guys, forgot that the pulley was ordered from Bill. These are the various part numbers that I show for a few years of the 3800 pulled from AllData. Interestingly, the '98 & '99 both show a separate part number for the damper along with the number for the pulley.
The 2000 and 2003 just show the HB part number. Hope this helps.

2003 - 12563265 Vin K
2000 - 12563266 Vin 1
1999 - 12563267 Vin K
1998 - 12563268 Vin 1