Correct Socket Size for '71 383 road runner Harmonic Balancer "Goldilocks" Bolt?!?

[road robert]

Greetings BBuddies:

The Google resources said 1 1/4" so I bought a 6 point 1/2 drive impact socket from Harbor Freight and it is too big, with aluminum foil covering the bolt head it grabs and can turn but I don't want to damage the bolt or worse slip off and damage my knuckles lol. My Nova neighbor brought over a 1 1/8" and that is too small. Is a 1 3/16" just right? It seems like quite an uncommon size... Maybe it's Metric?!?
Please advise - I'm looking to find #1 TDC to fit my distributor correctly and this seemed like the best and safest method...

Thanks!

road robert

 

[33 IMP]

Can you get a tape measure or a caliper on the bolt head? And measure your socket? (Might really be a 32mm marked as 1 1/4.)
I would have said 1 1/4 if you'd asked without more info.
30 mm would be just under 1 3/16.
32 mm would be a slightly sloppy 1 1/4. 1.26

 

[road robert]

yeah it is too difficult to accurately measure with tape or calipers due to the pulley around it and the fan. Maybe the Harbor Freight 1 1/4" impact socket is crappy... and the bolt head is tapered and quite shallow

 

[hunt2elk]

Can you get a tape measure or a caliper on the bolt head?
I would have said 1 1/4 if you'd asked without more info. (Never seen a 1 3/16 socket)
30 mm would be just under 1 3/16.

I bought one for something at one point, but don't ask me what for, lol.

 

[road robert]

hunt2elk, can you please go check if it fits on one of your big block harmonic balancer bolts now? AutoZone has one open 'til 10PM EST...

 

[hunt2elk]

hunt2elk, can you please go check if it fits on one of your big block harmonic balancer bolts now? AutoZone has one open 'til 10PM EST...

I have 10 crank bolts here from both big and small blocks, they are all 1 1/4".

 

[road robert]

Thank you! maybe the Harbor Freight Impact Socket is junk ($4.99) lol. Is your 1 1/4" socket 12 or 6 point or did you just meaure the bolt(s)?
*Also, do your bolts look like mine (pictured above) with "LE" marking and tapered edges and shallow?

 

[1967coronet]

Thank you! maybe the Harbor Freight Impact Socket is junk ($4.99) lol. Is your 1 1/4" socket 12 or 6 point or did you just meaure the bolt(s)

Use a 6 point.

 

[road robert]

SEE picture in original post above - looks OK just shallow and chamfered along the edges

 

[Daves69]

1-3/16 won't go on mine. 12 point 1-1/4 Craftsman is loose but it's what I use.


You could get a slightly deeper bite on the bolt head grinding the lead off the socket.

 

[padam]

That’s not a balancer bolt, THIS is a balancer bolt…

 

[DeltaV]

1-1/4" on my 1970 383 Magnum

Fit-checked using the 12 point I had handy.

 

[padam]

I would try what you have. Pull the plugs and it shouldn’t take too much torque just to turn the engine.

 

[threewood]

That’s not a balancer bolt, THIS is a balancer bolt…

View attachment 1896700

That is much, much less knuckle-busty.

 

[padam]

That is much, much less knuckle-busty.

Yes and those radiator tubes are awful close!

 

[road robert]

WOW! Thanks everyone great support effort from the "B" Team!
P.S. I'm embarassed to tell my distributor "follies" story that lead me to this... it was time for a reboot!

 

[Daves69]

Yes and those radiator tubes are awful close!

A thin piece of plywood can save fins and knuckles!

 

[Slipping727]

Measures 1.225" with calipers.
1 1/4" fits loose but that's what I use too.

 

[roadrunnerh]

Both my 383s = 1 1/4"

 

[Slipping727]

Chrysler probably used a 1-15/64" socket.
1.234" socket on a 1.225" bolt head is about the correct clearance.