take the dampener to a machine shop and have it micropolished in opposite direction of rotation....

 

In case a Speedisleev is needed. Install was easy. Part number

SKF 99192

 

I’m going to go forward without the speed sleeve first, and if it leaks again, it’s not an issue to pop out the HB later and try that fix.

That being said, do I need a different size front seal if I use the sleeve? Or is it just same same?

 

Same seal will work. The sleeve is engineered to not add much to the shaft diameter.

 

Is there a way to prevent this sort of thing from happening? Or are these pulleys just considered consumable?

 

Changing oil at recommended intervals helps, as debris get impacted on backside of seal and causes wear...or replacing the seal before it gets extremely brittle.

 

What does the rubber seal on the pulley seal to?

I've never removed the balancer.

 

Few thoughts:

1) Yes, these pulleys are considered consumable eventually
2) I wouldn't agree that the cracked rubber is no big deal... I guess you have never had one come apart! When that rubber fails, the outer ring of the pulley separates from the inner. That rubber is manufactured into the pulley which is press fit together, if the rubber fails, the pulley comes apart quite dramatically. If you're lucky, it just spins on itself. In my case on an old 03, it took out my radiator, fan, pulley, fan shroud... on a drive through Alabama a few years ago. Hence why I see those cracks and replace the pulley. Classic failure mode of these crankshaft pulleys.
3) I've reused pulley with visible marks on the shaft, but if you can feel the wear with fingernail etc, yes replace it.

 

After waffling back and forth, went ahead and ordered a sleevy thing. Even if it grants me another year or two - I'm in the middle of building a house and just need this old boye back on the road. $700 needs to go toward a houseful of 12/2 romex right now, not a new HB.

Also, when I eventually order a new one, how do I go about doing so? Can't be as simple as putting one in my Atlantic British cart is it? With the different weights and all?