Crate motor swap questions

Tim65GT

Active Member
Feb 24, 2004
1,149
2
39
West Texas
After doing a lot of research (Thanks to 'Stangnet gurus) on rebuilding my low compression '74 block and mismatched '66 heads, I started looking into crate engines. (Ford Racing FMS-M-6007-XE3M) I realized all the machine work, checking, parts, assembly, time, peace of mind and cost exceed the effort of putting in an engine already put together.

1. If I get a newer style roller motor (50oz imbalance) and keep my C-4, I need a 50 oz, 157 tooth flexpate, right? Is there a difference between a flexplate for a one piece seal and a flexplate for a two peice seal? Spacing or bolt pattern? Part number anyone? Source? I know there are a lot on internet sales places, but I couldn't find the info I was looking for.

The crate motor comes with the reverse flow timing cover, "short style" waterpump and damper with (I assume) the short style pulley. This would be great, beacause of my short distance to my Taurus fan setup.

2. Would I be able to get the rest of the serpentine setup off an Explorer or certain year Mustangs? Anyone running the "short style" serpentine setup?

I need a Steel Gear on my MSD distributor. MSD recommends I send it to them with a gear I buy somewhere else???$$$.

3. Anyone change theirs? What did you do?

4. The timing cover doesn't have a fuel pump boss, so I'll have to get an electric pump. Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
1. No difference between flexplates/flywheels for a 1 piece or 2 piece rear main seal.

2. You should be able to use a 94-95 Mustang serpentine setup because I think that is when they went to the short style pump. Also, any Explorer setup that used the short style pump should work but you might need the 94-95 Mustang water pump pulley to make it all fit.

3. MSD sells a gear for this. You can have a local machine shop change it out for a 1/2 hour of press labor. You can also get the comp cams gear which is a composite material that works with both roller and non-roller cams.

4. You can switch back to the early style timing cover and use your old fuel pump/eccentric but then you wouldn't be able to use the short pump setup. I'll tell you that the Holley pumps are LOUD.
 
I agree with everything Tim said and....

1. Are you looking for a flexplate (automatic) or a flywheel (manual? I went with a Fidanza aluminum flywheel I got new off a vendor on ebay for a great price, it comes with 28oz and 50oz weights. REAL nice piece, I couldn't be happier.

3. I used the Comp Cam's composite gear, its a bit pricey ($120), but from everyone I talked to its the best. I ended up pulling the old gear of my MSD myself, using a puller and a torch to heat it up. I then took it to my local auto parts & machine shop and they installed the new gear and pin for me for free. (because I bought a bunch of other stuff)
 
After doing a lot of research (Thanks to 'Stangnet gurus) on rebuilding my low compression '74 block and mismatched '66 heads, I started looking into crate engines. (Ford Racing FMS-M-6007-XE3M) I realized all the machine work, checking, parts, assembly, time, peace of mind and cost exceed the effort of putting in an engine already put together.

1. If I get a newer style roller motor (50oz imbalance) and keep my C-4, I need a 50 oz, 157 tooth flexpate, right? Is there a difference between a flexplate for a one piece seal and a flexplate for a two peice seal? Spacing or bolt pattern? Part number anyone? Source? I know there are a lot on internet sales places, but I couldn't find the info I was looking for.

The crate motor comes with the reverse flow timing cover, "short style" waterpump and damper with (I assume) the short style pulley. This would be great, beacause of my short distance to my Taurus fan setup.

2. Would I be able to get the rest of the serpentine setup off an Explorer or certain year Mustangs? Anyone running the "short style" serpentine setup?

I need a Steel Gear on my MSD distributor. MSD recommends I send it to them with a gear I buy somewhere else???$$$.

3. Anyone change theirs? What did you do?

4. The timing cover doesn't have a fuel pump boss, so I'll have to get an electric pump. Any suggestions?

Thanks

1. You just need a 50 oz--157 tooth flexplate for a C-4. B&M makes one, so do others. 2. Yea, you'll need a steel distributor gear with a roller cam. 3. I've done 2 stock points distributors to steel gears. It wasn't hard, just have to pay close attention to the details. 4. Fuel pump ? I use a Mr Gasket 30 gal/hr to feed my three carb 331 (400+hp) Works fine in full power 1/4 mile and 2-3 mile top end runs at 140 mph. You can hear it if you listen for it, but several times I've left it running by mistake by not hearing it run, with the engine off. This pump is stocked on the shelf at Autozone and Advance Auto Parts.
 
Thanks for the info. :)
coolblue65:
MSD sells a gear for this. You can have a local machine shop change it out for a 1/2 hour of press labor. You can also get the comp cams gear which is a composite material that works with both roller and non-roller cams.

This is the Summit Pat I found:http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MSD%2D85833&autoview=sku
Apparently they use a shaft diameter different from everthing else, so I have to get their high$ part.

Rusty67:
MSD sells a gear for this. You can have a local machine shop change it out for a 1/2 hour of press labor. You can also get the comp cams gear which is a composite material that works with both roller and non-roller cams.

I've removed and installed a distributor gear before. Is there something special the machine shop does?

OK, found this on a the MSD tech forum:

You Will Need Gear P/n 85833 It Is A Steel Gear. That Gear Must Be Pressed On At A Certain Height And Then Cross Drilled On The Shaft. You Might Want To Check With A Repitable Machine Shop In Town For That. If You Decide You Want Us To Do It For You We Charege 35 Dollars Of The Install. We Recommend You Purchase The Gear Through One Of Our Dealers Before You Send The Dist. In. Also Call Msd So We Can Issue You An Rma#. Thank You

Geezz :notnice:

4You can switch back to the early style timing cover and use your old fuel pump/eccentric but then you wouldn't be able to use the short pump setup. I'll tell you that the Holley pumps are LOUD.

I was wanting to change over to a serpentine setup anyway for my 3G alternator and SD508 AC compressor.

What about this fuel pump?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CRT%2DP4070&N=700+4294836965+4294891680+4294891681+4294782816+115&autoview=sku
 
If you have access to a press, you can remove/install the distributor gear yourself. If you are really good you can line up the new hole on the distributor gear with the holes in the distributor shaft and drill a hole through the other side of the new gear. Then just put the roll pin in and go.
 
Rusty67
If you have access to a press, you can remove/install the distributor gear yourself. If you are really good you can line up the new hole on the distributor gear with the holes in the distributor shaft and drill a hole through the other side of the new gear. Then just put the roll pin in and go.

OK, Thanks for the info.