The front edge of the belt on my EF was wearing a groove into the tensioner. It was due to wear in the tensioner. If you look at the tensioner it's two pieces separated by a nylon or similar looking spacer/washer/disc - ie. evidently so the moving part can do so smoothly. If that's worn then the moving part of the tensioner can C**k over and you get the belt riding forward.

Look at the spacer between the two parts of the tensioner - you'll see straight away if it's worn away at one section.

New tensioner complete assembly is only $90 or so off ebay. I haven't even done mine yet - I just put a washer under the rear housing of the tensioner - ie. on the driver side most bolt between the tensioner housing and the timing case - which has compensated for the angle worn spacer and makes the belt run true again.

If it's the balancer then fair enough - but if it's still doing it after a new balancer then have a look at what I've described. (this all reminds me I really need to organise a new tensioner for my car).

When using a puller on the balancer, be careful not to damage the crank bolt hole threads with the puller pilot - ie. run the pilot on the head of the loosened crank bolt or make sure the pilot will fit into the hole without it's threaded portion interfering with the threads in the hole - ie. grind off some of the pilot thread if necessary.

a seal puller or a large flatt blade screwdriver and being carefull to work it out without dammaging the housing.
You've done a few right?

Swear you said you've replaced many seals with you're old man. But not the balancers.
Either way you just gotta work em out slowly. Being careful not to dammage the timing chain cover...its very soft.

Sounds like valve stem seals.

Thanks for that Joe...
One of the guys who answered the phone yesterday when i called your place said the same thing.

I've got a set of seals here. I'll need to whack them in.

I've got a used complete engine 600KM's away at a mates place. I was thinking of removing the head & sending it up to you for a complete overhaul. He has given me a fairly good price on a stage 4. Soon enough i will ship the head over to you. thanks

lol, i think you have got swc mixed up with (joe) cms..

If you do tell him, do you think when i send my VCT head in for upgraded goodies he will do better or worse job??

If better then go ahead, if worse - then i will edit the error i made a few posts up