Engine woes..

[mustang6tee8]

Well... my harmonic balancer came apart!! I think it all started with the front main seal leaking, and oil might have gotten between on the rubber seal between the inner and outer ring on the HB. This happened last Wednesday, I pulled in the driveway after playing cat & mouse with my dad in his Cobra, it came apart and everything started vibrating! It flung the outer ring to the timing cover, grinding a 2"x1/2" hole in it, and wore off some of the bolt hole on the bottom of the water pump. Timing cover will be fixed with an 1/8 aluminum plate welded over the hole. And yes, I have an aluminum welder.

Parts are coming from www.50resto.com

I'm getting a new Ford water pump, 180 degree Mr. Gasket T-stat, PCV valve, new seals, etc

I'm looking at either a stock replacement HB, or the 28oz or 50oz "Sportsman" HB. Would the 28oz or 50oz sporsman work for a street driven car, if so, which is better? Since the prices are in the same range, money won't be an issue. I just want the one that is reliable, will work good on the street and (if possible) give me a little more performance.

Stock: http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=LRS-6316A%20%20%20%20%20%201&comp=LRS
50oz sportsman: http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=M6316B50%20%20%20%20%20%20%201&comp=LRS
28oz sportsman: http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=M6316J351%20%20%20%20%20%201&comp=LRS

Last but not least- are the Steeda X2 ball joints worth the $20 more than stock ones, and do they make a difference? I've got 1 1/2" H&R springs.

Thanks for the help

Wade

 

[MattZ281LE]

Your balancer must match the balance/imbalance of your engine. Most if not all 79+ 302's are 50 oz. Older motors and many stroker kits are 28oz and true performance built engines are internally balanced and use a 0oz imbalance flywheel/balancer.

I may be a bit off in the years on the imbalance but you get the point. all 5.0 EFI motors came with 50oz imbalance flywheels/flexplates and balancers.

 

[HISSIN50]

Wade, Matt is right - if your 95 hasnt been apart for a rebuild, you'll want the 50 oz imbalance HB.
My personal choice was a Pioneer SFI unit, though a non SFI Pioneer would do well and is a nice piece for the price in most locations (it can be had for under 100 beans).
I'm not big on the stock unit. Many folks have had good luck with the Pro Prod's unit LRS used to (and might still) sell.

Good luck bud.