Harmonic Balancers

[ford_george]

I bought a 302 short block from a guy, but I don't know which year engine is is. It appears to be put together with new pistons .030 over, various rods, reground crankshaft, etc. I have heard that I can install either the 28 ox. or the 50 oz. balancer and flywheel as long as I don't mix them up. Is this correct? If not, then how do I determine which balancer to use? Please let me know if you know for sure.

[Jerry Clayton]

By process of elimination---put on the 28---if it shakes change to the 50 if it shakes, take it apart and have it balanced

[olddog]

Originally Posted by ford_george

I have heard that I can install either the 28 ox. or the 50 oz. balancer and flywheel as long as I don't mix them up. Is this correct?

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Never seek advice from this person again. They are at best ignorant on this subject.

The crank could have been ballanced internally (not likely) or either the 28 or 50 oz. The person putting it together may have assembled parts and never had it ballanced at all. Running it out of ballance can cause many ugly things to happen. There just isn't that much to pulling a short block appart and reassembling it. I would have it checked by a good shop.

[CobraEd]

A couple of key points here:

First, the damper and the flywheel must always match, . . . 28oz in the front, 28oz in the back. Or, . . 50oz in the front, 50oz in the back. Never mix them up!!!

Now the next question is which crankshaft do you have? An early 302 which requires 28oz, and the newer 5.0 which requires 50oz. The crankshaft counterweights and balance are different necesitating the different weight.

John York (a good guy) who has been building Cobras for years can tell you exactly which crank you have by telling you what to look for with regard to the counterweights. his number is: 804-798-5268


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