Oldsmobile/Buick: Buick 340 Harmonic balancer, buick gran sport, timing chain cover

Question
Hello..well, hopefully you can help..I have a '67 Buick Gran Sport with the original 340 and I have been leaking oil from the front seal in the timing chain cover..or so it seems.  I got the cover off a discoved a wonderful rope seal that I replaced with another and I'm hoping I installed it right.  The problem is that when I was going to pull the harmonic balancer off, it came right off in my hand without a puller..and now that I'm trying to re-install it, it goes on smooth as silk, but even with a installer tool I can't get it to "seat"..I can just pull it right off..and when I have the bolt in and torqued to 110lbs, I've got about a 1/4" of freeplay in and out.  Is this normal for Buicks, because it dosen't seem right!  Help!!!!!!!

Answer
Chris ,

Did you check to make sure the crankshaft end is centered in the oil seal so the harmonic balancer can fit back into the oil seal properly ?

In my experience most harmonic balancers are a pain , especially when you don't have an impact wrench or torque bar=)

You didn't button the car back up yet did you ?

Check over your work again and make sure you seated it correctly .

Cheers,

Ed McKenna