1.03.013 GM 5.7 (350) Determining the Harmonic Balancer Timing marks on a GM 5.7 (350) engine

This Policy is completed and is waiting on Field Service, Engineering, and Safety approval.

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to establish the minimum requirements for determining the harmonic balancer timing marks on General Motors 5.7 (350) Vortec style engines as laid out in this procedure.

Procedure

This procedure applies to all General Motors 5.7 (350) Vortec style engines equipped with a harmonic balancer with either just a single timing mark determining Top Dead Center (TDC) or with individual timing marks.  This applies to Flogistix skids equipped with General Motors 5.7 Vortec engine drive units that are currently in service in the Field, Test Loop, at a Repair Shop, or in Storage Yards.  Flogistix Service Technicians will perform this process as outlined in this procedure.  

Before any work is performed a JSA needs to be done according to Flogistix procedure along with any Customer requirements before any work is started.

Determining timing marks on the Harmonic Balanacer

A Harmonic Balancer is a front end accessory drive component that is connected to the crankshaft of the engine.  The Harmonic Balancer serves a few purposes, but its main purpose is to reduce engine vibration and many cases, serves as where the belt pulley for the drive belts attach.  The Harmonic Balancer is attached to the engine crankshaft using a key way that determines the Harmonic Balancers position on the crankshaft. For this reason the Balancer is used to determine the engines Top Dead Center (TDC) of the #1 and #6 engine cylinders.  

Some Harmonic Balancers do not have individual timing marks before and after the TDC mark on the Balancer to set engine timing and will only have a single long mark across the Balancer indicating the TDC mark.  If the Harmonic Balancer has the individual marks marked before the TDC mark for setting the ignition timing no further steps are required for this procedure.  If there is only a single mark indicating TDC on the Harmonic Balancer proceed with this procedure.

This procedure will aid in determining the amount of space from the TDC mark on the Balancer for marking where the desired engine timing should be set when using a timing light.    Start by turning the engine until the TDC mark on the Balancer marked with a line and "0" starts to come up to the TDC notch in the timing chain cover. See example below  

For the next step a flex-able measuring tape will be needed to measure and mark where the desired ignition timing mark is needed to be marked at on the Balnacer.  The engine turns counterclockwise when standing behind the engine looking at the flywheel.  

When looking at the TDC mark on the Balancer, the marks indicating before TDC would be below the TDC mark on the Balancer.  This can be seen when standing on the left side of the engine looking at the Balancer.   

Using a flex-able measuring tape hold the end of tape at the TDC mark on the Balancer and let the tape go down the Balancer. As shown in the example below

As can be seen by the above photo, just over a 1/16" is almost one (1) degree on the Balancer

Looking at the photo above 

1 3/8" equals about where the 20 degree BTDC timing mark is located on the Balancer

2 1/8" equals about where the 30 degrees BTDC timing mark is located on the Balancer

Most desired ignition timing on the 5.7 (350) engine is between 25 and 30 degrees, but can be as high as 34 degrees depending on the fuel gas and load

Responsibilities

Management - Management is responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the requirements of this procedure to their respective locations/area.

EHSS - Responsible to assist in the implementation of this procedure and to review for effectiveness.

Employees, Contractors, Vendors, ETC. - Are responsible to follow the follow the requirements outlined in this procedure and ask for assistance

Scope

This procedure applies to all General Motors 5.7 Vortec style Natural Gas Engines equipped with hydraulic roller lifters and is applicable to all Flogistix employees, contractors, and temporary employees.

Hazards

Employees need to be aware of the possibility of extremely hot exhaust pipe surfaces, potential exposure and the inhalation of engine exhaust.  Employees should be aware that units could contain flammable and toxic gasses.  Potential for the possible hazards of gas ignition or fire, hot surfaces & fluids, rotating equipment.  Risk of possible concentration of H2S.  Hazardous gases could be in the units pressure vessels, cooler, or associated piping and risk of inhalation of hazardous gas fumes.  

Safety

All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for normal Field Mechanical duties apply for this procedure.  

Four Gas Monitor, which is outlined in the Flogistix EHSS Manual, PPE Section 8, Procedure 8.3 

This procedure applies to all units in service in the field, at a service shop, or in any storage yard.

Insure Flogistix personnel have proper safety certification or site orientation if required by the Flogistix Customer.

Insure Flogistix personnel adhere to all Customers safety practices.

Proper use of required tools 

Training

All employees shall be initially trained on the following topics:

• Employee Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedure according to Flogistix policy

• Methods and Observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemicals or gas in the work place

Tools & Equipment Required

All employees performing this procedure shall be required to have the listed tools to perform job tasks:

• All required PPE according to Flogistix Safety Policy

• Lock Out Tag Out LOTO items to properly perform LOTO procedure according to Flogistix policy

• Basic Hand Tools

• Small Flex-able measuring tape

Approvals

Field Service approved by:

Date:

Engineering approved by: 

Date: 

EHSS approved by:

Date: