Harmonic Balancer Part#/Compatibility

[hoowahfun]

1987 3.0 Mercruiser 130 HP, S/N B515218

I'm in need of a replacement harmonic balancer since the outter ring of the one currently on my engine has slipped. According to the Mercruiser part catalog there are two different part numbers: 55045 and 8M0086946. Here are my questions.

1) Why is there a difference in part number? Is the 8M00 number an updated version of the 55045, with better performance?
2) Are there any other compatible parts for a decent price? A search on the forum came up with this thread, but nothing conclusive about whether or not the other part numbers are really compatible. I'm finding the $250+ price tag for a new one to be pretty outlandish. I could get a used one for much cheaper, but that leaves a lot of unknowns as to the condition of the rubber bond.

Thanks!

 

[Scott Danforth]

go to NAPA, have them get you one for $35. its a GM damper manufactured by Mahle, not a Mercruiser damper. why pay 4th party pricing when you can get a new one from Mahle thru Napa.

the dampers changed over the years. you need to stick with your pre 1990 damper. there will be a GM part number

BTW, the volvo part number is 3852662 and its only $120 thru volvo and they are $80 on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-...lancer-Crankshaft-Pulley-55045T-/142621972505

 

[Bondo]

Why is there a difference in part number?

Ayuh,.... Just a Guess,....

In 'bout 1990, the crankshaft changed when the rear main seal changed, 'n no doubt a need for a different balance of the harmonic balancer,.....

Like Scott says, don't buy from Merc, for standard Chevy parts,....
'n Napa is also My 1st choice of parts houses,....

 

[hoowahfun]

Thanks guys. I'll give NAPA a try and report back my findings..

 

[hoowahfun]

go to NAPA, have them get you one for $35. its a GM damper manufactured by Mahle, not a Mercruiser damper. why pay 4th party pricing when you can get a new one from Mahle thru Napa.

Well I tried the NAPA store today and struck out. Granted, as soon as the guy said he's never really done anything with boat parts I knew my chances were slim. Unfortunately he was the only one there to help. He did try to look it up through the marine catalog and couldn't find it so not sure. Thoughts?

 

[Scott Danforth]

have him look up 3.0 industrial motor. They can also look up sierra parts too.

 

[Alumarine]

You can try GM #'s 03826280 or 3826280 or 03826292 and see if those match up.

 

[hoowahfun]

So I did some digging online for 3.0 GM industrial engines and came up with the numbers marc c suggested. That seems to be the right part and looks the same in the photos. I went back to NAPA and they couldn't find anything on those numbers either. Not sure if I'm asking the wrong questions or if NAPA just doesn't carry it anymore. In either case, I did find the part online for about $45 plus shipping, which isn't bad. So I'll probably go that route unless anyone has a more convenient method.

Here's the link to the part I found (3826292): https://www.gmpartsnow.com/oem-parts/gm-f--s-balancer-3826292

There are various sites all selling the same part for about the same price. Some places with industrial motor parts have pics that look like the Mercruiser balancer.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Remember, Mercruiser buys a marine motor from GM's industrial motor division. Same motor in gensets, fork trucks and trash pumps

 

[hoowahfun]

Just to follow up and close this one out, part number 3826292 was the right balancer for my engine. Got it new for about $60 including shipping online and it was a GM part. Got the old one off and new one put on today.

I will say from that experience that having the right tool for the job is a must in this case. I tried to use a 3-jaw puller in my toolbox since I already had it and didn't feel like going to the store to get one. It broke. So after that and not being able to find harmonic balancer puller at Advanced Auto or NAPA, I found one at O'Reilly's and it worked perfectly. Should have started with that first. The big difference I think was that the main crank bolt was thicker and had a fine thread.

 

[Alumarine]

Glad you got it figured out!