• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

289 pulleys on a 351w

  • Thread starter Thread starter no_3
  • Start date Start date Aug 21, 2006
N

no_3

Founding Member
Oct 21, 2002
73
0
0
Aug 21, 2006
#1
  • Aug 21, 2006
  • #1
Hi guys, can someone tell if it's ok to use the upper and lower pulleys off my old 289 on my 351w? I know they fit as I was able to bolt them on with no problems, but a guy I work with said to be sure that they arn't ment to be some kind of special radius.
 

hungrymonkey

White by Birth, Trash By Choice
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,077
12
108
Oregon.
Aug 21, 2006
#2
  • Aug 21, 2006
  • #2
I know the bolt holes do not line up when you put a 289 pulley on a 351w balancer.
 
N

no_3

Founding Member
Oct 21, 2002
73
0
0
Aug 21, 2006
#3
  • Aug 21, 2006
  • #3
humm, perhaps I have the wrong balancer then?
 

302 coupe

Founding Member
Mar 2, 2000
1,952
3
36
Macon, Ga.
Aug 21, 2006
#4
  • Aug 21, 2006
  • #4
I think all 351's use a 4 bolt balancer, 289's and early 302's(up to 69 maybe) are 3 bolt. If the bolt count is the same, it should work. You could (though I've never done it) use a 289 balancer on a 351. I'm pretty sure they line up the same, but you'd want to examine the woodruff key and counterbalance location on each to make sure. You could use your 289 timing cover, water pump, alternator brackets, and timing pointer if the balancer swaps out ok, which would make things real easy for you.
 

dennis112

15 Year Member
May 15, 2005
1,561
36
79
Amish Wonderland of Central PA.
Aug 21, 2006
#5
  • Aug 21, 2006
  • #5
Sorry guys--incorrect information is being distributed.

The factory 351w balancer in 1969 is of the 3 bolt design, similar to a 289 and a pre 70' 302. In 1970 Ford went to the 4 bolt balancer and pulleys across the board on the sbf and directed the water pump outlet to the drivers side.

The 289 pulleys work fine on a 351w if you use all the original 69' and earlier stuff (timing cover, pulleys, balancer, waterpump, radiator and the 351w alternator brackets-289 brackets won't work.) One simple mod may be needed though. The 289 crank pulley has a raised center lip that will not set flush on most 351 balancers. That lip can be removed successfully on a lathe or the 289 balancer itself could be installed since it has the same imbalance (28oz) as all 351w's. Timing marks will be correct if a 69' or earlier sbf timing cover is being used. If you try to mix and match early and late stuff, then you will most likely run into difficulties.

As an example, my 1989 351w block uses all the afore mentioned 289 front parts and there are no alignment problems.
 

Max Power

Active Member
Jul 31, 2003
1,774
1
36
St Paul
Aug 21, 2006
#6
  • Aug 21, 2006
  • #6
dennis112 said:
Sorry guys--incorrect information is being distributed.

The factory 351w balancer in 1969 is of the 3 bolt design, similar to a 289 and a pre 70' 302. In 1970 Ford went to the 4 bolt balancer and pulleys across the board on the sbf and directed the water pump outlet to the drivers side.
Click to expand...

Actually, the 351w went to 4 bolt during the production year in 1969. Early cars have 3 bolt, later have 4 bolt.
 
N

no_3

Founding Member
Oct 21, 2002
73
0
0
Aug 21, 2006
#7
  • Aug 21, 2006
  • #7
Thanks guys, I must have the early production setup.
The crank pulley does indeed have the above mentioned lip, fortunatly it fits into the balancer flush. It was cool to hear all that information, thanks guys!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
1966 mustang starter and pulley troubles
  • Hotrods4ray
  • Sep 24, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
355
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jan 10, 2026
Realmongo
Engine Forged flat top pistons from 5.0 fit a 351 build?
  • PonyGTrider
  • May 22, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
17
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 1, 2026
PonyGTrider
Suspension Harsh Ride
  • PonyGTrider
  • Mar 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3 4
Replies
62
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 11, 2026
Noobz347
C
Vortech water pump and tensioner pulley issue
  • Crooner88
  • Feb 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
28
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 13, 2025
revhead347
5
Hello fellow Mustang fanatics.
  • 580HP*428Cj
  • Apr 2, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
2
Views
186
The Welcome Wagon Apr 2, 2026
General karthief
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?