I may have messed up i used the flexplate from my 4.4 for my 350, will it work? I'm also wonder what harmonic balancer ill need?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Flexplate question
- Thread starter SUBLIME80BU
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The flexplate you need will be predicated on what block you have. Do you have a one or two piece rear main seal? I'm not familiar with a 4.4 so I'm not sure if it's flexplate will interchange or not. What did your 350 come out of?
As long as the flexplate did not have cracks or damaged teeth on the ring gear, you should be fine. The 267 (4.4L) had the early 2-piece rear main seal crank shaft. 350s used 2pc (early) or 1pc rear main seal ('87+). All early-style 267, 305 and 350 engines are neutral-balance, so the flexplate is interchangeable. The good news? If it physically bolted up, you're good to go. The 1pc cranks and flexplates use a smaller bolt circle.
yes the flexplate bolted up perfect, thanks for the words of relief, i was starting to panic a bit.... what do you think about the the blancer? should i use a new stock 267 one from napa? or would the old one work?
Inspect the elastomer ring between the inner and outer portions of the balancer. If you see any signs of deterioration, replace the balancer. The OEM balancers are famous for that ring drying out and cracking, and then the outer portion of the balancer slipping in relation to the inner portion, throwing the timing marks off. If it were me, I would buy an OEM style replacement like a Powerbond. I would buy the balancer to match your accessory drive, which would be for the 267. Everyone, correct me if I am steering this poor fellow wrong!
Neutral balance engines like the 267, 305, and 350 can all use the same harmonic balancer. In fact, the 1pc/2pc crankshafts all use the same balancer up front. Only the 400 is different - it's externally balanced so it needs a special flexplate and balancer. If yours has chunks missing or is offset from the hub more than a few millimeters, those are signs that the elastomer has lost is bond. I've seen SBCs where the first sign something was wrong was an oil leak where the outer ring had slipped backwards and started to saw into the timing cover. If you have dificulty setting the timing with a timing light, your mark may have rotated around due to a loose out ring.
You have the choice of a 6 3/4" or 8" balancer. Unless you spin the motor past 5000 RPM regularly, you don't need a fancy one that is SFI approved. Which size you want is a combination of preference and what timing cover you want to use. Your 267 probably came with the smaller one, so the timing pointer will interfere with using the bigger one. If you are installing an aftermarket cover, you'll be able to buy the pointer appropriate for your balancer. Don't forget to wipe some assembly lube or motor oil on the timing cover's crank seal before you put it on the engine - helps avoid the balancer from beating up the seal on the first start.
Please note that the lower pulley bolts are fine thread, and don't forget to put the balancer retainer bolt back on - has a big fat washer on it. Also, don't beat the balancer on or off with a hammer - you'll damage the main bearings. Ditto resting the weight of the engine on the balancer when it is pulled out of the car. Use a balancer installer / removal tool - probably can borrow one from AutoZone. Make sure it has a good bearing on the end of the shaft when pulling the old one off - the hole in the crank has threads that can get mangled if you forget this piece.
You have the choice of a 6 3/4" or 8" balancer. Unless you spin the motor past 5000 RPM regularly, you don't need a fancy one that is SFI approved. Which size you want is a combination of preference and what timing cover you want to use. Your 267 probably came with the smaller one, so the timing pointer will interfere with using the bigger one. If you are installing an aftermarket cover, you'll be able to buy the pointer appropriate for your balancer. Don't forget to wipe some assembly lube or motor oil on the timing cover's crank seal before you put it on the engine - helps avoid the balancer from beating up the seal on the first start.
Please note that the lower pulley bolts are fine thread, and don't forget to put the balancer retainer bolt back on - has a big fat washer on it. Also, don't beat the balancer on or off with a hammer - you'll damage the main bearings. Ditto resting the weight of the engine on the balancer when it is pulled out of the car. Use a balancer installer / removal tool - probably can borrow one from AutoZone. Make sure it has a good bearing on the end of the shaft when pulling the old one off - the hole in the crank has threads that can get mangled if you forget this piece.
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PS - you're happy that your car came with a 267. Its best features were the accessory brackets and the right fan shroud for a V8!
Dude im so happy i got a mailbu! Its all i think about day and night.
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