302 flaxplate

flyingv · Post by **flyingv** » November 15, 2011, 7:33 pm

Hey guys I have a question for ya'll. I'm putting in a 302 with a c4 transmission, into my 66. I have to buy a torque converter, flexplate and starter. I didn't get these parts when I bought the motor and trans. I have been looking on the internet trying to find what I need, but all I'm getting is confused! What's confusing me is terms such as balanced and imbalanced, number of teeth and such.
So now I don't know what I should be buying. You guys have any suggestions? Is there something I should know about my motor and transmission before I can make a decision? Thanks everybody.

R Pope · Post by **R Pope** » November 15, 2011, 8:04 pm

You have to know the year of the 302 to get the right flexplate, there are two different weights, a 28 and a 50 oz., I believe.

flyingv · Post by **flyingv** » November 15, 2011, 9:01 pm

R Pope wrote:You have to know the year of the 302 to get the right flexplate, there are two different weights, a 28 and a 50 oz., I believe.

Thank you Mr. Pope, I did see those numbers mentioned. I reckon I need to find out the year of my motor. What about the number of teeth on a flexplate, does that factor in anywhere? Yhanks again.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » November 15, 2011, 9:16 pm

Don't forget.
You have to match the flexplate with the harmonic balancer.
The 28 ounce balancer's are thinner than the later model 50 ounce unit's.

flyingv · Post by **flyingv** » November 15, 2011, 9:26 pm

Uncle Skip wrote:Don't forget.
You have to match the flexplate with the harmonic balancer.
The 28 ounce balancer's are thinner than the later model 50 ounce unit's.

ok, thanks U. Skip. Gonna try to get it all figured out!

flyingv · Post by **flyingv** » November 15, 2011, 9:30 pm

LOL, just realized I misspelled "flexplate" in the subject line.

frdnut · Post by **frdnut** » November 15, 2011, 11:42 pm

The 302s changed balance somewhere around late 1981...If its older than that it is a 28oz balance..If its newer than that it is a 50oz balance...The number of teeth on the flywheel/flexplate is also very important...Generally trucks use 164 tooth which is a little bigger diameter than a 157 tooth...Cars used both sizes with the smaller 157 tooth usually in smaller cars like mustangs...Do you know what the engine and trans were out of?

bunchoftrucks · Post by **bunchoftrucks** » November 16, 2011, 1:37 pm

Windsor Fox is a great reference source and is very helpful. I used them for info and parts when I did my 302/AOD in my 64 shortie. What shifter are you going to use? I used the LOKAR Nostalgia shifter and am very pleased, no problem in 6 years.

flyingv · Post by **flyingv** » November 16, 2011, 10:54 pm

frdnut wrote:Do you know what the engine and trans were out of?

Don't know about the motor, but the trans came out of a mustang.

bunchoftrucks wrote:What shifter are you going to use?

I haven't decided on the shifter yet, but pretty sure it will be a floor shift.

I did find out with you guys help, that the motor was made in 1974. So it used the 28oz flexplate and harmonic balancer. I also read that the crankshaft is part of this equation. I guess to be absolutely sure, I need to drop the oil pan and see if I can find some numbers on the crankshaft and check. I want to be 100% sure this stuff is balanced like it should be. I haven't checked the HB yet to make sure it's 28oz.
Thank you guys for helping me.

fire truck · Post by **fire truck** » November 18, 2011, 11:07 pm

I've never heard that the year mattered, only roller or non roller. I have yet to see a non roller 5.0 with a 50oz on it. You're right, you need a 28oz. The c4 came with both big and small bells. The mustang c-4 is a small bell, so you need a small 28oz flexplate.

jamesdfo · Post by **jamesdfo** » November 18, 2011, 11:22 pm

When I swapped a 1988 mustang roller motor into my '81 Short box back in 1991 or 92, I called Ford Motorsport, and they explained the early/late balance deal, and told me how to distinguish one from the other (if only I still remembered:)....in the end, it turns out the flexplate off my original 302 was correct for the roller motor, which had come out of a stick car.....so the flywheel was of little use with my C6:)

James

fire truck wrote:I've never heard that the year mattered, only roller or non roller. I have yet to see a non roller 5.0 with a 50oz on it. You're right, you need a 28oz. The c4 came with both big and small bells. The mustang c-4 is a small bell, so you need a small 28oz flexplate.

Kellxr7 · Post by **Kellxr7** » November 19, 2011, 10:05 am

I was in the same boat a while back found this link quite informative...

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/FordFly ... plates.htm

fire truck · Post by **fire truck** » November 19, 2011, 11:03 am

hmm, I've parted out a couple 91 f250s that were fleet trucks that had non roller 5.0s with 28oz flex plates... weird