• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech

Crank Pulley/Balancer Removal

  • Thread starter Thread starter sleekkat232
  • Start date Start date Nov 27, 2007
S

sleekkat232

Member
Nov 27, 2007
56
0
7
Spring Hill, FL
Nov 27, 2007
#1
  • Nov 27, 2007
  • #1
i just received my underdrive pulleys for my 97 3.8L pony. WHAT DO I DO TO GET THE PULLEY OFF???!?!!?!!?!

first off, the pulley does not bolt to the balancer from the front.
instead, it is, I'M GUESSING, bolted from the back?

i've never seen this in my life. any other time ive put pulleys on my mustangs, they've been held on by 4 bolts. this one has 3 threaded holes that appear to hold the pulley on from the back?

how do i get this pulley off, and if i get it off and the balancer wont accept the new pulley, then what?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

what a pain in my ass this car is.... everytime i do something to it, its 50 times harder and more involved than any 5L ive ever dealt with!

PLEASE help me, as its torn apart right now.............
 

cjones

Founding Member
Jul 20, 2002
1,561
0
37
Avondale, AZ
Nov 28, 2007
#2
  • Nov 28, 2007
  • #2
according to my program, the pulley is attached by 4 bolts to the harmonic balancer (from the front). remove those 4 bolts and the pulley comes off. there is no need to remove the balancer.

does the new pulley look like that??
 
S

sleekkat232

Member
Nov 27, 2007
56
0
7
Spring Hill, FL
Nov 28, 2007
#3
  • Nov 28, 2007
  • #3
yeah, the new pulley looks like that, and so has every other pony ive put underdrives on, but the pulley currently on the car is unlike any other ive ever seen.

is there a washer way back in there that i cant see? something holding it on the balancer once the big bolt is removed?
 

cjones

Founding Member
Jul 20, 2002
1,561
0
37
Avondale, AZ
Nov 28, 2007
#4
  • Nov 28, 2007
  • #4
there shouldn't be, the bolt shoud just hold the balancer on the crankshaft. if you remove the bolt you'll need a balancer puller/installer tool.

did the original owner change the balancer?? don't know why they would but...

this may sound like a stupid question but are you sure its a 1997 stang?? the 1999 stangs have the 3 bolt pattern like you show. the pulley and balancer are one piece.

recheck the VIN (V=97, X=99) or the previous owner changed engines.
 
S

sleekkat232

Member
Nov 27, 2007
56
0
7
Spring Hill, FL
Nov 28, 2007
#5
  • Nov 28, 2007
  • #5
we had the engine changed about 2 and a half years ago. we were told it was from a 98. our old engine had underdrives on it, but we didnt realize until the engine had been scrapped.

so, if there arent 4 bolts that hold the pulley onto the balancer, and there are 3 holes that are obviously threaded from the back, what do i do? it clearly is 2 different pieces, the balancer being iron and the pulley being steel.

i just cant figure out what ive got, much less how to put these damn things on.

(and a huge thanks for all your info and timely replies, as ive got the car torn apart.)
 

cjones

Founding Member
Jul 20, 2002
1,561
0
37
Avondale, AZ
Nov 28, 2007
#6
  • Nov 28, 2007
  • #6
it would be best to get an underdrive pulley set for a 99 3.8L. the 98 has the same setup as a 97 according to my program.

on the 99 it's one piece. the 3 holes are to mount the puller to remove the pulley/balancer.


here's an image of the 1999 balancer/pulley...
 

Attachments

  • 1999 V6 Pulley-Balancer.webp
    34.2 KB · Views: 984
S

sleekkat232

Member
Nov 27, 2007
56
0
7
Spring Hill, FL
Sep 27, 2008
#7
  • Sep 27, 2008
  • #7
help!! losing power...... ;(

so, i got a balancer from a 94-98 mustang from the junkyard and swapped it out for the one piece design on my car. can i use a 94-98 balancer on a 2000 engine?

i had the motor swapped, as earlier stated, and they put in a 2000 motor, with the detuned splitport cam into my car with the single port intake set up. yuk! can i run my 94-98 balancer on this crank? are all (RWD) 3.8L balanced the same, and if so, can i install it and use my u/d's? i dont really wanna spend the $300 on a balancer/underdrive set up for this car if the balancer is the same.

also, will 302 valve springs work on a 3.8L?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Sooty/Oily Front Engine & Pulleys
  • ozenator
  • Jun 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
297
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 22, 2026
Blackhawkxx
P
2002 T5 transmission vibration issue
  • puffoo
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
181
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Feb 22, 2026
puffoo
P
A
Discussion on mild budget build/ top end
  • Acesario
  • Feb 21, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
20
Views
751
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 23, 2026
General karthief
Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
446
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
923
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 V6 Mustang 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?