Seems like a harmonic dampener would be a good idea on the old out-of-balance Volvo motor. Guess Volvo wasn't too worried about vibration from their motors at the time, considering the outrageous tolerance variations allowed and lack of a dampener.

Anyone ever bother to fit a harmonic dampener to a B18 or B20 ?

Later,
Al

I have used both a Romac & adapted a B30. Engine definately feels smoother with one.

A harmonic damper is a very good idea, especially with engines running at higher rpms and producing more than stock power, even when carefully balanced.
The harmonics are actually a big problem, especially as they relate to the valve train.

We will be doing harmonic balancers for some of our engines this year.

John
V-performance.com

When weight was not so much of a factor, a heavy flywheel did the vibration dampening and smoothing function. I believe that from the B23 back, that was the system.

Regards,

Bob

:>)

My understanding is that four cylinder engines, because of the crankshaft arrangement, do not require harmonic dampening. As they get larger in displacement, balance shafts are used to dynamically balance them, but that's all that is needed. Inline six and V-8 engines use harmonic dampeners, but don't require balance shafts.