Hey,

I have an old 1985 Suburban (3/4 ton, 454, 7.4L, 2WD). The other day while driving it, I heard the sound of metal rubbing and went to check it out. On the bottom, front of the engine block, where it connects to the fan pulleys, is a large, loose metal ring.

This ring is currently held around the rod by the engine block on one side and by the fan pulley on the other. Here is a picture that was taken from the underside (sorry it is so dark):

http://www.epicvoyage.org/sites/defa...c_balancer.jpg

I think that this is what the shop manual is calling a "torsional damper," while Autozone seems call it a "harmonic balancer":

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...5391_311944_0_

Both of these sources show metal frames that are supposed to hold the ring in place, and which seems to be completely missing on my truck. There is ~1/4" clearance between the ring and anything on the rod.

Am I looking at the right parts? Do some of these have rubber gaskets that might have been worn away?

 

yes that is the harmonic balancer .there will be a rubber ring between the outer ring on the balancer and the hub that is pressed on to the end of the crankshaft .
these do come apart at times , they are pressed together .

 

Thanks, old dog. I'll get 'er replaced!