That the balancer, and, by extension probably the engine itself, is 1970 or later.

 

Well, as for the "age" of the balancer, I already knew that it is "post-1970" by the part # (an E4..etc.). According to the book "High Performance Ford Parts Interchange" by George Reid, the balancer corresponds to a late 80's 5.0 HO engine. That's why (as well as the left-side water pump inlet) I originally thought the engine was a 302. But, the block and heads are definitely 1965 289...casting numbers don't lie. Like I said...I asked the PO who built the engine if he used a 302 crank, rods,etc., but he swears that it has a 289 crank....AND a 390 flywheel.

Will that 4-bolt 50-oz balancer mount to a 1965 289 crank??

 

Yes, the later 4-bolt will attach to a 65 engine. But it won't balance properly.

And it is impossible to use a 390 wheel on a 289/302. It simply will not fit inside the bellhousing.

 

Well, this is just about the weirdest drawn out discussion out here, these days. Why would someone spend the money to balance a crank so they could run a 50 oz balancer on the front of the motor and a zero balance flywheel on the rear? Makes no sense and cant' be done practically.
If the flywheel is from a 390, it would have to be using an FE bell housing, also, in order to clear the flywheel. How are you gonna fit that up to the back of a 289?
The entire concept is a joke, folks. Just another example of a dollar chasing a dime.
If the motor has no vibration issues with the balancer indicated, chances are that the reciprocating assembly is 5.0. Can't speak to what the flywheel is, but it ain't no 390.
I suspect this rant is just adding to the pile of palaver already out here. I'm gone.
Best,
Al

 

Hey Al, I agree! I've talked lately to a couple of experienced engine-builders here locally, and they both told me that a 390 flywheel simply will not bolt up to a 289 crank, nor fit in a SBF bellhousing. The engine has no noticeable vibration, only a very little when cruising at 55 mph and about 2400 rpm, that you can feel slightly in the shifter handle, but even that may be normal. I think the PO who told me this is either full of s***, or just can't remember what the hell he did when he built the engine (he said it was about 8 yrs. ago!). I'm just gonna run 'er till she won't anymore, and then one day when I need to rebuild/replace the engine...I'll find out for sure what's inside!

 

Now if this fella was claiming he had a 351 wheel, I'd say maybe. You could make that work. Most likely a case of-

 

Now if this fella was claiming he had a 351 wheel, I'd say maybe. You could make that work. Most likely a case of-