Fluidampr Balancer for 6.5

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Ordered 2 of these since there was a long lead time and my truck was down. Now have a spare.

$550 shipped within US
Retail: $575

Images are of the balancer I opened and put on my truck. Listing is for a new damper sealed in factory box.

Manufacture info:
Fluidampr Balancer for Hummer H1 with 6.5 (electronic fuel pump)

No tuning or maintenance required - Designed to last the life of the 6.5!

The OEM 6.5 dampener is made of rubber and steel and will deteriorate over time and eventually fail, which will destroy the crank and engine. If the OEM damper has never been changed it likely needs to be due to age alone and should be changed by 100,000.

Protect your 6.5 with the technology high power diesel OEMs use. A Fluidampr performance diesel damper provides premium, broad range control of destructive crankshaft torsional vibration for optimum performance and durability. Fluidampr reduces wear on critical internal engine components when engine modifications are done to gain horsepower or when rotating assembly parts are upgraded. Features high quality, long lasting viscous silicone with precision CNC machined and computer balanced high-grade steel components.

Bore Diameter 1.5993" Degree Marking Range 50 degree BTDC to 10 degree ATDC.
Additional timing/degree marks at 90, 180 and 270
Degree Markings Engraved
Engine Balance External
Finish Black Zinc
Keyway Single; (3/16")
Length 2.443"
Material Steel
Outside Diameter 8"
Safety Rating SFI 18.1
Weight / Rotating Weight 17.7 lbs / 11.8 lbs

 

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Moved some things around in storage and realized I still have this. Bump!

This made the truck noticeably smoother during operation, quicker throttle response.
Combo of this damper, Dieselsite crank pulley and vacuum pump delete dropped my 0-60 by half a second.
Install is simple with a puller & install tool. Only thing that has to come off the truck is the belt, there is nothing in the way for install.

 

[Will L. 95]

For anyone who hasn’t done an install & bought the tool already- Leroy rents one low cost and 65turbogarage sells one low cost.
The autoparts store kits that get rented out don’t usually have the right size threaded rod.
NEVER use a hammer (ruins the balancer). NEVER use the factory crank bolt (ruins crankshaft).

All the years and engines that these balancers have been put on, not gonna find 2 people say they didn’t like the results. 1 might say it just to stand out- haha.

 

[Selloutrr]

Isn’t the correct GM thread 7/16 in-20 (5/8” long)? Most kits I’ve seen it’s a standard bolt. The kits from Jegs, Harbor Freight, and Summit. All include it in the removal/installation kit for ~ $80-90USD. IMHO for the cost of the tool rental plus shipping to you and back you might as well buy it.
I can appreciate the 65diesel DIY option accept for the advise to use a hammer to remove the balancer. The kit at least provides smooth even tension on and off.
The real trick is holding it from spinning while breaking the 200lbs free as well as tightening it up. I had pretty good luck with a rubber strap pipe wrench around the dampner to help prevent movement with the engine off and tranny in park. Whole process took under an hour to install.

 

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I'm no 6.5 guy. But the internet made this seem WAY more difficult than it was.

The swap was super (SUPER) easy. Seriously, remove the belt, then swap out the damper/pulley - literally nothing else has to be touched. Plenty of room for leverage on the breaker bar & torque wrench.
I used a HF removal kit. Used the 65diesel install, was hilariously easy.
As far as spinning, used a wrench on one of the crank pulley bolts (in the damper) to catch on the water pump and lock the crank. Again stupid easy.

An hour for install seems generous.

 

[Will L. 95]

Yeah- basic job. Mentioned it more for guys that are still learning & never done one before. Eazy task, but hammering on the new one or using retaining bolt to install is a common mistake for the newbies, so I figured make mention.