85lebaront2 Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Close on the 1-piece seal date. According to my favorite website the change to the new seal happened on 12/1/82. (Engines/Windsor Series) I knew it was 1982 or 1983, but I wasn't sure which exactly. I know my '84 302 definitely has the 1pc rear main. The SBF book I have said that the 1pc rear main seal didn't show up until 1985. I find the internet is full of erroneous information on the 302...it can be a bit difficult when trying to find out specific details. The lower head bolts on my '84 302 go through into the coolant jacket...which, according to the internet, is a change that didn't show up until they started casting the roller blocks. Anyway, it is what it is. We could all be driving Chevys...lol. Is it safe to assume the new/reman engine has a flat tappet cam in it? I am not super conversant with the "newer" Windsor blocks, other than a 1990 Lincoln Town Car which I never even had to replace a water pump on, most of my experience is 260-289 engines and one 1970 1/2 Falcon 302 that sort of morphed into a 1965 289 4V top end with 351W exhaust manifolds so I could run duals on it. It also had a 351 HO C6 behind it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgauvry Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 The 1994 up blocks have roller lifters and a one piece rear seal. I think the 1pc rear main seal showed up on the 302 in 1983 didn't it? My 1984 302 has the 1pc rear main. Wasn't there a change in the blocks for the vehicles that had serpentine belt systems? I could be wrong on that, but wasn't there a mounting boss cast in the RH side on blocks when the serp belts started being used? I thought I read that in one of my SBF books. If re-using old harmonic balancer and flywheel, I'd want to make sure that the balance was correct (28oz or 50oz), although if the engine was ordered for anything newer than 1982-ish?, it should* be correct... Is this new engine coming with a water pump? I guess you'd want to make sure the rotation was correct for V-belts or Serpentine. If all of these ideas are bad craziness...then I apologize in advance. I've been driving myself crazy reading SBF stuff for months now...lol. I have a one piece rear main seal on my 1985 302. I've had concerns about the harmonic balancer, and what weight I should get, or if I can even use my old one. I've read that it is a good thing to replace them if going to a remanufactured engine. I'll need to see what the specs are on this thing before I buy one. The only spec I now have are that the engine is .040" over w/ a .010"/.010" crankshaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 I have a one piece rear main seal on my 1985 302. I've had concerns about the harmonic balancer, and what weight I should get, or if I can even use my old one. I've read that it is a good thing to replace them if going to a remanufactured engine. I'll need to see what the specs are on this thing before I buy one. The only spec I now have are that the engine is .040" over w/ a .010"/.010" crankshaft. What I read says that in 1981 Ford changed the 302 from using a 28 ounce balancer/flywheel combo to a 50 ounce pair. You can read that at Hot Rod as well as Ken Blythen's comment here. And lots of other places. So, I think you need to clarify this with your engine supplier as it depends on what crank they used. You need both a balancer and a flywheel that have to match - either 28.2 ounce or 50 ounce. For your truck it should be 50 ounce or you'll have to replace both the flywheel and the balancer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgauvry Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 What I read says that in 1981 Ford changed the 302 from using a 28 ounce balancer/flywheel combo to a 50 ounce pair. You can read that at Hot Rod as well as Ken Blythen's comment here. And lots of other places. So, I think you need to clarify this with your engine supplier as it depends on what crank they used. You need both a balancer and a flywheel that have to match - either 28.2 ounce or 50 ounce. For your truck it should be 50 ounce or you'll have to replace both the flywheel and the balancer. Something else I didn't consider, but it makes sense for sure. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgauvry Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 What I read says that in 1981 Ford changed the 302 from using a 28 ounce balancer/flywheel combo to a 50 ounce pair. You can read that at Hot Rod as well as Ken Blythen's comment here. And lots of other places. So, I think you need to clarify this with your engine supplier as it depends on what crank they used. You need both a balancer and a flywheel that have to match - either 28.2 ounce or 50 ounce. For your truck it should be 50 ounce or you'll have to replace both the flywheel and the balancer. Hi Gary - I don't have a scale that will register the weight but I am fairly confident the existing flywheel is considerably lighter that the existing harmonic balancer, just from handling them both. From what I've read in the Hot Rod link you sent to me, that's pretty scary and may explain a lot about my previous engine. If I understand all of this correctly, I must check again with the manufacturer to see what type of crank they used. The type of crank will determine the weight of the harmonic balancer and flywheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Hi Gary - I don't have a scale that will register the weight but I am fairly confident the existing flywheel is considerably lighter that the existing harmonic balancer, just from handling them both. From what I've read in the Hot Rod link you sent to me, that's pretty scary and may explain a lot about my previous engine. If I understand all of this correctly, I must check again with the manufacturer to see what type of crank they used. The type of crank will determine the weight of the harmonic balancer and flywheel. Steve - It isn't the actual weight of the balancer or flywheel, but the imbalance of them. To put it another way, the rotating assembly is out of balance, and they make up for that by using flywheel and balancer combo that have weights on a spot on them. Look at your flywheel - it should have a weight welded to it in one spot. And your balancer probably has one spot that is thicker on its rim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgauvry Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 Steve - It isn't the actual weight of the balancer or flywheel, but the imbalance of them. To put it another way, the rotating assembly is out of balance, and they make up for that by using flywheel and balancer combo that have weights on a spot on them. Look at your flywheel - it should have a weight welded to it in one spot. And your balancer probably has one spot that is thicker on its rim. Yes, it is as you say. I have found out that the engine has a 2MAE lightweight crank which will require a 50 oz balancer. Thanks for the information. Thought the balancer felt much heavier than 28 or 50 ounces. Now I know why - and I feel dumber than a pump handle... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Yes, it is as you say. I have found out that the engine has a 2MAE lightweight crank which will require a 50 oz balancer. Thanks for the information. Thought the balancer felt much heavier than 28 or 50 ounces. Now I know why - and I feel dumber than a pump handle... You are just learning. And, we are all learning - just different things. Or, at least I hope I'm learning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts