INTERESTING..Factory Harmonic Balancer

[woodjeep]

Ive been on a search to find a decent replacement balancer for the stroker motor. There are many aftermarket replacements some cheap/some not so cheap. I figured i might try a Jeep dealer one. I found on line for 50 plus shipping...not too bad. When I went to my dealer who has been pretty helpful in the past he had one for about 80 but the interesting part was that he says there are instructions in the parts catalog to remove the timing cover and REMOVE the oil slinger then reinstall the cover without the slinger when using the new balancer. The slinger in my engine is less than 1/16 thick...how can that make a difference? He did not know why...he is just a parts guy. Now i'm not sure if I want to remove the slinger and use the factory balancer or use an aftermarket with the slinger

[4.whoa]

Did he have one you could look at ?

[woodjeep]

No, it was an order only...I have another place that supposedly has factory stock for a 96 and its the cheaper of the dealers..I will check it out on monday

[Comanche91]

I found this somewhere when I ran into the same problem:

Newer Mopar Harmonic Balancers Not the Same As Older Units

I have run across something you all will need to know sooner or later. When your 4.0L needs a replacement crank damper due to separation if you get a factory replacement (Mopar) one at the dealer you will find that it won't go on the crank all the way. The old part number (33002920) supercedes to the one (33002920AB) used on 2001 and newer 4.0L's. To use this new damper on 87-00 4.0L's you will have to remove the oil slinger (eliminated on 2001 4.0L's)
on the crank timing chain gear which requires removing the timing cover.

Now the only direct replacement ones are aftermarket at places like Pep Boys. Make a note of this if you plan on using a factory one. -Don

[woodjeep]

I found a jeep dealer on line ......1stjeepparts.com They listed the 33002920 for up to years 1999 or 2000 for 53 bucks and 9 dollars shipping so I purchased it. What I got was a 33002920AC. It is 1/32 inch longer than the old stock and it had no paperwork or instructions to remove the slinger as I had been instructed by my parts guy...that was a little bothersome if I had not known. Unfortunately I had already bolted and sealed the timing cover with the slinger installed. My machinist says that I may not even notice the 1/32 offset on my belt but i will put it on the drill press and take it down a hair just to be safe. he also said the factory balancers are usually balanced pretty good and not to spend the money to have him balance it.