50oz vs 28oz questions

[Busted07]

I know this is a little bit late as my motor is already balanced. I bought a steel crank, and a 50oz balancer. the 50 oz balancer is what i was told i need when you run a steel crank along with different bearings, because it is extremely hard to balance a steel crank down to 28oz

the reason im questioning it now is that i read a post in which someone stated that its always better to balance down to 28oz because it allows the engine to rev up a little quicker. but i wants sure if they meant that it was using a stock crank, or any crank for that matter

any truth in this? im kinda stuck as it is for now, im just asking for future refrence when i do my next motor build

 

[RacEoHolic330]

302's use a 50 oz balance while the 351's use a 28

 

[Busted07]

hold up.. then why is it when i was looking in the newest summit (pg 271) it shows a FRPP dampner, the application states : high performance style for ford 302/351 H.O. 28oz internal balance

im not questioning you, i just dont get it i guess

 

[RacEoHolic330]

yea, im not really sure. I guess you could build a 302 balanced to 28 oz, im no engine builder though.

 

[srothfuss]

Early 302's came in 28oz. The later models came with the 50oz imballance.... I think the switch happend in 1982.

I'd just run the stock 50oz and move on.

 

[stangnutlx]

Early 302's came in 28oz. The later models came with the 50oz imballance.... I think the switch happend in 1982.

I'd just run the stock 50oz and move on.

My 306 is 28oz balanced.... still sitting on the engine stand though

 

[stangnutlx]

I know this is a little bit late as my motor is already balanced. I bought a steel crank, and a 50oz balancer. the 50 oz balancer is what i was told i need when you run a steel crank along with different bearings, because it is extremely hard to balance a steel crank down to 28oz

the reason im questioning it now is that i read a post in which someone stated that its always better to balance down to 28oz because it allows the engine to rev up a little quicker. but i wants sure if they meant that it was using a stock crank, or any crank for that matter

any truth in this? im kinda stuck as it is for now, im just asking for future refrence when i do my next motor build

You need to run what the assembler told you as far as what balance 50oz. if you go with a 28oz flywheel and harmonic balancer its going to throw the crank and other driveline parts out of whack. Meaning it will wear your main bearings down faster. Think of it as something bieng heavier on one end and out of sync... you dont want to continue to replace parts. if you wanted to run a 28oz 302 you should have had the complete rotating assembly balanced for 28oz...

 

[304billet]

It is not hard to balance a 302/306 rotating assembly to a 28oz imbalance. A 28oz imbalance does not effect crank or bearing wear whatsover. It is just easier. If what ur engine guy said is correct what about all the 331/347/392/408 that almost r always balanced to 28oz. The best an engine can be balanced is neutral, then 28oz then 50oz. The damper and flywheel or flexplate r used to balance the rotating assembly externally. A neutral balanced rotating assembly is balanced internally to the crank, rods and pistons. A neutral balanced engine will spin higher and last longer.

 

[Jack's95gt]

I had my stroker crank balanced to 50oz. because I already had my damper and flywheel. They have to remove lots of metal from the counter weights to get this balance. The end result was good, it runs very smooth.

 

[thumper460]

the 50 oz or 28 oz... it really is up to the balancer and what he can do... some times the components are to LIGHT and he has to use the 28 oz balance on the crankshaft... most of the time this is the reason they all go to the 28 oz!! It is easyer and more consistant for the balancer!! ( always better to take weight off than to add mallory metal) as for which is better... 28 IMO.

Our balancer will some times be able to lighten the 50oz flywheel enough to make a 28oz dampner work on a 50 oz flywheel... but in the end it is all balanced to 28oz!! confused?? LOL
Just me.............................

Thumper

 

[Busted07]

confused?? LOL

yeah, i think im gonna go back to riding bicycles


does it make that huge of a difference either way? what i mean is, am i going to lose alot by having it balanced to 50oz? Then again, i guess its better than not having it balanced it all

 

[2002BLGT]

Early 302's came in 28oz. The later models came with the 50oz imballance.... I think the switch happend in 1982.

I'd just run the stock 50oz and move on.

I dont think they switched untill 85 and I think only the mustang got the switch then .....

 

[rd]

302 engines up to sometime in the 80-82 time had the 28 oz balance. The 50 oz started then. All 5.0 GT engines and 82 up 302/5.0's are 50.

351's are all 28.

I think this relates to Ford taking weight out of the crank itself, to make the overall weight less, and then having to add a bit more eccentric weight on the balancer and flexplate to get it balanced.

Supposedly, 28 style cranks have less natural out of balance and are easier to balance. Since stroking moves stuff away from the crank centerline, they are easier to balance as strokers, as they are better to start with.

 

[TrophyHead]

So when does a Zero oz. flywheel/balancer come into play?

 

[304billet]

An engine that is neutral or zero balanced is internally balanced to the crank, rods and pistons. The crank is drilled and mallory is added to balance it to a specific bobweight. The damper and flywheel must be zero balance. A zero balanced engine is the best u can get, the engine will spin higher and last longer and is used for road racing, drag racing and any other sustained high rpm application. Costs anywhere from $400-$1000 or more.