[graveshaker]

Hello all, I was never much of a poster when I use to frequent this site. I did more reading and learning more than anything. I sold my 1998 GT a couple years back to play around and road course a few German cars. I went with BMW and a Porsche 911. These German cars are very fun and agile however the grunt and sound of American Muscle's been calling.

I picked up this 1989 Notch with a recent build.
-302 block bored 30 over
-gt40p casting with new internals
-crane cam (not sure of duration)
-B&K shorties
-H pipe
-Magnaflow with dumps

-eiback springs
-KYB shocks
-frame tied
Weld Drag lites

I'm sure there's more but you get the idea.
I bought the car as a slight project because a few things needs attention.
The car has vibration between 1800-3200 RPM from which I believe is from a very visible crack in the bell housing. The previous owner launched pretty hard causing the motor to twist. Once motor was repositioned he noticed the vibration. Upon closer inspection he realized the cracked bell housing but didn't think the crack was causing the vibration. He assumed it to be the harmonic balancer. He later fell on hard times and had to sell the car.
I purchased the car from him with less than 4,000 miles since the build for a very negotiated $1800.

The car test drove really well and feels very strong and powerful. Aside from the vibration the car seems great. I will start with the bell housing and inspect the clutch and flywheel and go from there.






Ultra lite tilt trailer

[89lx]

wish i could find cheap mustangs around here like that... good luck with the project

[jessemachone]

you got a good deal.

does it vibe when moving, standing still or both. is it more of a high freq vibe or low?

[HMERacing]

There is a guy in town that had a vibration in his. Turned out to be the wrong balancer. The engine shop installed a stock balancer after he balanced the rotating assembly. Not so good!

[graveshaker]

Originally Posted by jessemachone you got a good deal. does it vibe when moving, standing still or both. is it more of a high freq vibe or low?

The vibe has the same high freq when parked or going through the gears between 1800-3200 range. The crack on the bell is on drivers side near the first mounting tab. The crack starts from the tab and goes on past my line of site. The motor idles very smooth with no signs of wobbling. The guy said once the tires were warm they hooked really well and he launched hard. Driving the car miles after the motor was repositioned was when he noticed the vibration. Vibe was small at first then progressed to it's current state. He assumed harmonic balancer which I'm not ruling out but the cracked bell is a better starting point.

[jessemachone]

take a good look at that balancer. the bell housing doesn't spin therefore a crack in the belhousing wouldnt cause it... especially since you can reproduce it when it is parked. stock balencers are notorious for being garbage. see if you have any rubber sticking out of it. stock replacement at az is 60$ and easy to replace.

[PureEnergi]

id check the flywheel for shits and giggles i just learned the guy i bought my GT from put a 28oz flywheel on the stock 302 that was in it. broke my crank in half. heh u live and learn. nice notchy tho.. best of luck

[graveshaker]

Originally Posted by HMERacing There is a guy in town that had a vibration in his. Turned out to be the wrong balancer. The engine shop installed a stock balancer after he balanced the rotating assembly. Not so good!

Interesting, it looks as though the balancer on mine is aftermarket but don't show up in the stack of build receipts. I won't have time to really investigate for another week or so. I pray I've made a good decision on the purchase. I've spoken to a few tranny shops that all say a cracked bell would cause vibrations.

[jessemachone]

Originally Posted by graveshaker Interesting, it looks as though the balancer on mine is aftermarket but don't show up in the stack of build receipts. I won't have time to really investigate for another week or so. I pray I've made a good decision on the purchase. I've spoken to a few tranny shops that all say a cracked bell would cause vibrations.

there's no doubt that it would but not when you're standing still. you will get it straightened out. I would stick with the moving parts first like the bal, fly wheel and cluch (clutch could have let loose on ya)

any way you look at it, you got a decent price for the car - just have to sort out some bs.

i bought mine for 1k with a popped t5 and mine has a but ugly silver stripe around it.

[graveshaker]

Originally Posted by jessemachone there's no doubt that it would but not when you're standing still. you will get it straightened out. I would stick with the moving parts first like the bal, fly wheel and cluch (clutch could have let loose on ya) any way you look at it, you got a decent price for the car - just have to sort out some bs. i bought mine for 1k with a popped t5 and mine has a but ugly silver stripe around it.

Is there a certain balancer I should get for my build or are they all the same?

[jessemachone]

I haven't gotten into any high hp yet so I just have stock. hopefully someone else has a good idea for you.

when mine went, I was looking at the summit racing sfi approved one but I needed my car back on the road so i went with auto zone. my stang is my daily.

[gripthenboost]

Great find

[93slayer]

i bought a pioneer for my 306, found it at summitracing. My builder says they are some of the best for your money...... its still just a 50 oz balance tho....and great deal! hows the interior?

[graveshaker]

Originally Posted by 93slayer i bought a pioneer for my 306, found it at summitracing. My builder says they are some of the best for your money...... its still just a 50 oz balance tho....and great deal! hows the interior?

Interior is in good condition with gray cloth and full of gauges. I looked at that summit balancer and that will be my choice if I'm still vibrating after the bell and such.
These are my road course cars, BMW e30 with a swapped 3.5 motor and Porsche 911.









Looks like I'll be pretty occupied during the dog days of Michigan winters sorting through these cars.

[FastStang91Lx]

You really can't get burnt on 1800 for that car. Hell, I'll give you 2k for it right now and come get it, lol.

[Dap1991]

seems like a good deal to me and a good find, just a few bugs to sort out. Also nice porsche and bmw look like fun cars

[moneymo]

AWESOME notch dude!!!

[302Army187]

mmmmmmmmmm 911

[wick22]

coupe is very nice and the porche is sweet

[marshall88lx]

nice deal!