July 2005 Installing the harmonic damper on an R series engine Leave the timing cover "loose" while trying to push the balancer on! Was the (woodruff) key in properly? It has a slope on one end that MUST face the crankshaft. You CANNOT install the key and try to push the hub over it... you have to put the hub (partially) on, and then align the key and tap it in flush with the end of the crank. Push the hub against the slinger- then tap the key the rest of the way in. 1) Dress your key with some fine emery paper to be sure there are no burrs etc.. (no pink tu-tu's please) 2) Use fine emery-paper on the inside of the damper's hub- check that keyway to be sure it's not been worn or deformed from improper installation, or running while loose. If problems exist, a small jewler's file may smooth out any flaws. Test to see if the key slides easily along it's length. 3) Polish the crank snout with fine emory paper. Clean out the key's seating area 4) Clean and DRY- All pieces. using carb/brake cleaner. DO NOT LUBRICATE. 5) Slide/tap key into crankshaft- It should fit snug, but not be "tight". It should slide in the (1/2 moon-shaped)recess with light persuasion. You shouldn't be able to rock it "easily" by hand (very light tapping with a small hammer). Try to make it parallel with the crank surface. 6) Align hub with the keyway in crankshaft- Slide the damper onto the crankshaft- You should be able to "wiggle" it on 1/4" or so. Key should not move or fall out- if it looks like it's pushing out- tap the key with a brass flat punch 7) Install Damper using (another) pusher-tool- OR, if salvageable you may need to use washers/spacers to get to decent threads on your's. DO NOT try to install without the PUSHER SET. Hammering (tapping) it on will ruin the Thrust Bearing in the block. 8) Push hub onto the crankshaft snout until it is within 1/4" of the timing cover seal 9) Lubricate the seal area of the hub (lightly). Slide the timing cover over the hub (by removing it's mounting bolts)- hold it in place with some mechanic's wire 10) Push the hub all the way onto the crankshaft- until it seats against the "oil-slinger" collar on the crank snout. (at the crank gear) 11) install all bolts into the timing cover- (loosely) 12) Tighten the timing cover bolts in a sequence similar to torquing head bolts- opposite sides- tighten incrimentally... The Avanti damper is different than the typical Stude V-8 Hub, flywheel, and pully assembly. RAY F