Why does my stock '76 302 have a 351W harmonic balancer?

[digmy76]

What is going on. My mechanic wanted to know if I was aware that I had a harmonic balancer from a 351W. Of'course I said no! I thought I had a 302" He said I do have a 302 but.... Also, we are having trouble finding a timing chain assembly that will work. My rig is a stock '76 and the parts we order for it are not working out. Like, the timing chain assembly...the timing marks on the gears line up, but it does this by having a sideways mounting slot (I don't know if that makes sense, but I really don't know how else to describe it!). It is quite perplexing. We have been through 3 different assemblies from Napa and none match. Could it be that I need an assembly from a 351W (like the harmonic balancer) This is my first EB and I am starting to get very frustrated....People...Please! help with your wealth of EB knowledge.

 

[Dennis]

I would find the numbers on the block and find out exactly what you have.

 

[iwlbcnu]

A 76 302 and 351 will have the same balancer, just some were 3 bolt and some were 4 bolt.
All small block Fords, 221-351 use the same timing chains.
????????????

 

[74bronc]

I haven't assembled a Ford small block in a few years but as I remember, the crank keyway isn't necessarily going to be lined up with the timing marks. As long as the lower gear and upper gear marks are lined up, it will run. Like was said, all the timing sets are interchangeable between SBF's. The earlier ones just had more advance built into them. Ford retarded the timing in the 70's for emission purposes. As for the balancer, how does he know that it is a 351W balancer. Even if it was, it wouldn't matter because they are interchangeable and do the same thing. Throw the new timing set on there, put it back together and fire her up. ;D

 

[Waverous]

All 351Ws and pre 1980' 302s can use the same 28 oz balancer. Main difference is that a 302 HB is a 3-hole model and a 351W is a 4-hole model. Typically people with an early Bronco will opt to use the 3 hole pulleys along with the 302 water pump on the front of a 351W if they have swapped out the engines.

 

[Jeepster]

where are the # on a 302 block?

 

[digmy76]

Just moving it to the top for more info. Thanks for the input so far. You guy's are the greatest :'( (really sappy monent!)

 

[Broncobowsher]

[quote author=iwlbcnu link=board=5;threadid=14721;start=0#111164 date=1046439426]
A 76 302 and 351 will have the same balancer, just some were 3 bolt and some were 4 bolt.
All small block Fords, 221-351 use the same timing chains.
????????????
[/quote]
Almost,
The part about the interchangable balancers is correct, but I do need to throw in that post '82(?) 302/5.0 get a different balance, but physically interchange. That' been covered before.
The 3 bolt and 4 bolt are correct. Early engines up to '69 had 3 bolts. '70 and newer are 4. I have also heard (but not confirmed) a difference in lips. Either on the balancer or on the pulley.
There are at least 2 locations for the timng markers that may dictate different balancers to get the timing marks to line up. There is a cast in tit on some timing covers and the stamped steel bolt on type.
So, you see. There is a lot of differences between balancers, but they will all work.

As far as timing chains all being interchangable, I know of a couple of factors. Fuel pump ecentrics for one. Get the wrong ecentric for the timing chain and you can't put the front cover on.
The other is a little more rare. A 289 K-code engine. The factory solid lifter hot rod engine used a different width timing chain. I don't have a spec book in front of me today, but I remeber that it is different. I think the balancer is also a little different due to the different thickness of the lower gear. But those engines are a little rare.

 

[Jeepster]

[quote author=Broncobowsher link=board=5;threadid=14721;start=0#111243 date=1046457149]
Early engines up to '69 had 3 bolts. '70 and newer are 4.
[/quote]

Thats why I think I need to find the # on the block. My balancer is 3 bolt, the rig is a 76. I got to figure the year of the mill.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I thought it as I was typing, but forgot to put it in,
The Bronco kept the 3 bolt balancer through '77. For just never updated the old truck. If it is 70 to 77 and has a factory 3 bolt balancer, it is a Bronco. I am 99% sure of that one.

Sorry I forgot to put that in

Try looking up a balancer for a '67 Bronco with a 289. That should work. I can't remember what year the fuel pump ecentric changed though...

 

[Jeepster]

[quote author=jeepster link=board=5;threadid=14721;start=0#111226 date=1046454332]
where are the # on a 302 block?
[/quote]

 

[digmy76]

[quote author=jeepster link=board=5;threadid=14721;start=0#111246 date=1046457570]
[quote author=Broncobowsher link=board=5;threadid=14721;start=0#111243 date=1046457149]
Early engines up to '69 had 3 bolts. '70 and newer are 4.
[/quote]

Thats why I think I need to find the # on the block. My balancer is 3 bolt, the rig is a 76. I got to figure the year of the mill.
[/quote]

My balancer for my '76 was a C9 which means 69, right? and it is a three bolt( Ford said that the code indicated that it was a '69 351W balancer that was on my vehicle stock?). That is part of my confusion. I found and ordered a new one from mustangcentral.com that is supposed to be a match....it is a C9 three bolt for a 351W (like the original worn out one....I hope it matches correctly). As far as the timing chain assembly I hope I understand you guys correctly in that I can use the one that the timing marks match up, but the key slot is perpendicular to it instead of lined up vertically with the marks? Please, let me know if this is not going to work and I need to locate one of these wacky timing assemblies?...And if so where can I get one? ?:?

 

[Waverous]

I'm willing to bet someone needed to replace the harmonic balancer on your 302 and either couldn't find a replacement and had access to the 69 351W so they could keep the same pulley setup. Of course that is if the engine is really a 302 and not a 69 351W - oh what a bummer that would be!!! ;D

 

[74bronc]

What's to say that it isn't a 69 302 balancer? C9 tells you the year but that doesn't say if it went on a 302 or 351W. I wouldn't worry about it too much. There are tons of balancers available. I just sold a 3 bolt 302 balancer for 10 bucks on ebay. Set the timing marks straight up and go to town. Don't worry about the keyway on the crank and where it points.

 

[digmy76]

[quote author=jeepster link=board=5;threadid=14721;start=0#111271 date=1046464358]
[quote author=jeepster link=board=5;threadid=14721;start=0#111226 date=1046454332]
where are the # on a 302 block?
[/quote]
[/quote]

Mine was under the water pump on the block.

 

[Jeepster]

I have heard from some ford friends that Ford didnt necessarly change the dates "C9" on all its parts yearly. In other words say a design for a balancer was made in 69 they may have used that balancer for a number of years. The balancer on my 76 (?) is 3 hole with a "C9".

 

[JTCamp]

I went through the same thing Jeepster when I had my balancer rebuilt by Dampener Dudes. The EB is a 74, but the HB was marked "C9", a 3 hole.