I am following the Haynes manual procedure for installing a Force Balancer unit into a 88' Tech4. And I have no idea what it is talking about here:
"7. Position the crankshaft by measuring from the engine block to the first cut of the double notch on the reluctor ring. The distance should be 1-11/16 inches. If it isn't, turn the crankshaft until it is. Position the measuring ruler on the backside of the reluctor ring and measure from the first notch to the engine block"
Question 1: What is a reluctor?
Question 2: How am I measuring it?
Question 3: Why am I measuring it?

My best guess is that it has something to do with the gear on the crankshaft that drives the Balancer/oil pump unit. There is a part on the gear that has two notches instead of one. Thats as much as I have figured. Please a little insight would be great. Thanks.
-Jordan

i've only known of it being the star shaped thing inside the distributor.

On the 88 crankshaft there is a big round disk with some notches in it by # 3 cyl. These notches provide the signal to the crank sensor. That's what they are talking about.

quote Originally posted by Jordan Warkentin: Question 1: What is a reluctor? Question 2: How am I measuring it? Question 3: Why am I measuring it?

1) A reluctor is simply an object that provides a path for a magnetic field to follow, just like a conductor provides a path for an electric field to follow. In the case of an automotive crankshaft, the reluctor ring is there to work with a (magnetic) crankshaft position sensor.

2) "Position the crankshaft by measuring from the engine block to the first cut of the double notch on the reluctor ring. The distance should be 1-11/16 inches. If it isn't, turn the crankshaft until it is. Position the measuring ruler on the backside of the reluctor ring and measure from the first notch to the engine block"

3) The balancer assembly has to be properly phased with respect to the crankshaft to be effective ... just like the camshaft has to be properly phased vs. the crankshaft for the valve timing to be correct. Measuring from the block to the notches on the reluctor ring is similar to using the marks on the timing chain sprockets when you install a camshaft.

Thanks for your input. Looking at it, I am still unclear on how to measure. Where on the engine block am I measuring to? And since it is a wheel I will be changing two different dimensions when I turn it. Do I measure point to point or just distance in one dimension?
-Jordan

Maybe this will help you, the two notches close together are the synch notch #7 on the left and #6 notch for firing pistons 1 & 4 on the DIS ignition engines. The rotation is clockwise specific.

Thats a nice picture, thanks. What I do not understand is if a put one side of the ruler to the "first notch" where on the block am I going to be measuring? And in what dimension: x, y, x+y, or the hypotenuse of x and y to the point on the block I am suppose to measure?
-Jordan

I wish I could help you more but without pictures and actual instructions on exactly what is supposed to take place I can't offer much more advice than to call the manufacturer.

Here is a picture. I circled the double notch. Where am I measuring to?


http://web.mac.com/lorenstevi/reluctor.jpg

The answer to my question was found in the chilton manual. You are suppose to measure from the bottom of the block to the first notch of the two notches vertically. It is basically there already if you put the engine at TDC; the two outside counter weights should be pointing straight down.