Aftermarket crankshaft balancer bolt?

[SLVRobin]

Hello everyone,
I am wondering if there is anybody out there who knows of an aftermarket crankshaft pulley bolt source. I see you can purchase them from fordparts.com, but they are $32 each .
If I have to buy it so be it but I have three problems with this. First, I work at a large machine shop and know what the cost of manufacture is for a bolt like this and at $32 each this not only doesn't include a reach-around, but there is sand thrown on it just for lasting effect. Second, I am not 100% sure putting a different dampener on will cure my problem so I could be throwing it away anyways, and third, just because you can screw someone, does not mean you should.

Any help would be appreciated

Robin

 

[joegr]

It might help to know if this is the V6 or the V8.

 

[SLVRobin]

It is a 2002 V8 sport. I had an issue with a knocking noise that sounded like a rod and I took off the belt and started it just to eliminate anything connected with that...the sound was much less muted. I had purchased another used engine that was supposed to have run when it was pulled and figured I would change the balancer/crankshaft out from that engine first.

 

[joegr]

... but they are $32 each ...

That's actually quite a bargain considering that the damper itself is $1,022. The bolt's only 3% of that.
For a while there, you couldn't get either one.

 

[cammerfe]

I'd have to believe the bolt isn't unique with no other application anywhere in the known world. I think I'd approach a large industrial/commercial fastener supply house for an alternative to the dealer stock.

KS

 

[joegr]

I'd have to believe the bolt isn't unique with no other application anywhere in the known world. I think I'd approach a large industrial/commercial fastener supply house for an alternative to the dealer stock.

KS

I agree that something close enough to it must be used elsewhere (Jaguar, maybe?), but there is more to it than just finding the right size and right thread. The bolt is made to stretch when correctly tightened. It does this only once, and that's why it should be replaced and not reused.

 

[Broseph]

I agree that something close enough to it must be used elsewhere (Jaguar, maybe?), but there is more to it than just finding the right size and right thread. The bolt is made to stretch when correctly tightened. It does this only once, and that's why it should be replaced and not reused.

I'm going with reusing the existing bolt vs. purchasing a brand new one. When I tore down my engine for tensioner and head rebuild I went to dealer who said only four were available with the closest one being across the states in Nevada.

How many people, including dealerships have done tensioner work that required removing the engine cover and, therefore, the balancer....I doubt all of those rebuilds used a new bolt. Some may have had issues afterwards but I think there's been more success than failure .

 

[SLVRobin]

I was aware that it was a stretch bolt, and that is the issue in a nut shell. Getting a bolt to fit would be child's play, but getting it to stretch correctly is why I am looking for the correct one. Here's a question, do you think it would be of any value to use the old bolt just to see if the dampener helps the rattling/knocking issue, or is the stretch necessary for the function of the dampener. The noise happens at idle so I don't have to rev it up much, maybe just a little to see if it stops it at other RPM's. I was kind of thinking along the same lines as Broseph. I don't know how many people have replaced their timing chains but it does not look like the bolt comes with the kit...so does the mechanic buy a new one when the work is done at the local service center or do they just button it back up and go?
Robin

 

[oddball]

I've had the timing cover off twice and still using the bolt that came with the car when I bought it (unknown history for 8 years). Hasn't grenaded yet, therefore must be fine for everyone.
TTY head bolts I understand. The damper bolt, though? Not quite certain why that needs to be a TTY. IIRC, the hub is a press fit, although looser than some others I've worked on. I don't think it would require that much clamping to do its job. It's a quite large bolt, so I wouldn't expect TTY necessary to get adequate clamping.

Thoughts? Guesses on criticality? I'm a Computer Science geek (well, just a manager these days) trying to sound smart on Mechanical Engineering stuff here.

 

[SLVRobin]

Thank oddball, that's all I needed...an accomplice!
In all seriousness, I also can see the reason for the TTY head studs, but screwing a steel hub to a steel crank sounds pretty safe to at least test it out with the old bolt. When the problem is solved (trying the power of positive thinking here...) I will purchase the new bolt and put it in. Thanks all...wish me luck!
Robin