Does this harmonic balancer need to be replaced?

While replacing my radiator I noticed the crank seal leaking so I replaced it easily while the radiator was out. Noticed a small chunk of missing rubber. Should I replace it now? Is this anything to worry about? If it is time to replace are after market balancers OK? Or, is it worth it to spend $329 for OEM vs $70-100 aftermarket?

 

I wouldn’t let that stop me from finishing a job.
Sure, if I had a new one setting there, I’d throw it on.
Other wise, send it. Call the job done and move on.

 

Ideally you’d spend the same amount for a vastly superior silicone-filled metal Fluidampr (that’s about what they cost usually) to yield a noticeable daily improvement

but nobody gave a fuck to sign up to have one developed

 

That's an outer metal ring pressed onto a rubber pad. Outer ring is technically not attached to the center part except via the rubber pad.

It's still good until so much rubber rots away that the ring moves. Technically it moves now, but just bounces. If it rotates, it's bad.

You'll know if it has rotated by the timing mark being off or changing.

 

they have failed on certain vehicles after many years and miles
subjected to use and age, things made of rubber and plastic usually don't last forever

 

If you are not experiencing high rpm wobbles from it, I would reinstall it and move on.

 

It's fine

 

I had one slip on my 30 year old el camino. Setting timing was a bitch. Then when it came time to pass california smog, they failed it until I replaced it.