"Popping the Cork" --> A Good Thing

[Jason Edge]

I removed the engine from parts car #53 yesterday, but per usual procedure, removed the externals before lifting it out. I've done this many times but nothing usually gets me as excited as seeing the cork still in the harmonic balancer, and not scars on balancer and don't think engine had every been cracked open. Alway nice to find the cork! 

   

[Jason Edge]

Thought you guys might like to see that balancer cleaned up a bit. Since this one had never been removed, and banged back on it is actually one of the better ones I have  pulled in a while. Got to get below that "patina!"

[Jason Edge]

... and they would need to put the cadillac blue on the front of the cork and age the cork to give it the correct patina.  I actually don't ever recall seeing cork (new or old) put back in a rebuilt engine or one that had had the balancer removed, even though the harmonic balancer installation instructions indicate to put the cork back into the crankshaft end! It if is an originally looking cork that looks like it has never been removed, engine is probably virgin!  Needless to say once I got the cover off I saw the partially intact nylon covered cam gear teeth. Another sign the engine is pristine.