351w balancing

[rclake]

hi i am using a 351w in my 51 ford...do i have to use a different flexplate than the one i have from a mid 80's 302..it seemed to shake alot in the truck i took it out of.....thanks for any help

[R Pope]

Ford changed the balance in mid-82. Get one for the same year as your 351. Bear in mind that the starters and bellhousings changed in the mid-80's too, maybe the same time as the balance. The pilot hole for the starter is a different diameter.

[JeffB2]

hi i am using a 351w in my 51 ford...do i have to use a different flexplate than the one i have from a mid 80's 302..it seemed to shake alot in the truck i took it out of.....thanks for any help

1980 and later 302 or 5.0 use a 50 oz balance the 351 stayed 28 oz like earlier 302's,so you need to match them up,your flexplate is wrong.

[R Pope]

I have two 351W engines and they use different balances, one is twice as big a chunk welded to the 'wheel. One's a '69, the other an '84.

[rclake]

thanks guys for the info.. i'm sure i got a older 302 laying around somewhere i can rob the flexplate off of..well that solves one problem..now on to the next one ..ha ha ha ha

[rclake]

i forgot to add that i am going to be using a 84 model ford aod transmission..as long as the tooth count is right it should be ok to use that trans ..right i hope