Well, after two starters and no engine start-up, I need to replace my flexplate (long story, the starter flange broke, I kept cranking, blah, blah, blah, etc.,) Before I order from Summit Racing a 157 tooth Neutral Balanced Flexplate, I was wondering if any Fords came from the factory using one? I'll probably have my SFI Flexplate re-ringed, but for now, I just wanna be able turn the engine over. I was hoping my local Auto Zone or other might have a 157 tooth Flexpate for a SBF that came with a zero (neutral) balanced FP. Anyone know an application that has (had) one? Thanks, Rick
I should have said the it is 0 unbalance .. is that the same thing? I bought a 302 flywheel with a 50oz unbalance ... I'm gonna just removed the welds on the welded on weight and to make 0 unbalance ... sound right?
dmhines , it would prolly be best for you to get one for a 250 , not an unbalanced 302 flexplate . You can get them any way you want them from TCI through summit racing and I think jegs too .
dan, you can get them from any auto. tranny supply place. we have one here if you want me to check on one for you...frank...
You do have your engine internally balanced-yes? If not, you need to get the right unbalance or the engie will shake severely. We use a zero unbalance 157 on the 358 cu/in Sprint Car with direct drive to the rear. The motor has a Scat crank assembly internally balanced. . Reminds me , I saw a starter laying in the road, today. Things have to get pretty bad for one to fall out and not know it the last time the engine was started!
The one I have is for a Standard Transmission. Summit wanted around $250 for a 0 imbalance Ford flywheel. I got a 5.0 billet flywheel for $89 off eBay with the welded on imbalance weight. Am I assuming wrong that I can remove the balance wieght and then have a 0 imbalance flywheel? I have seen other flywheels that come with post mounted imbalance weights. If you want 0 imbalance you leave the weight off ... 28 oz or 50 oz .. you install the appropriate included weight. BlueGrass - Ford 250 engines are internally balanced and call for a 0 imbalance flywheel ..
What happened? I thought we were talking flex plates! Original post please! Is or is not the engine internally balaced? Question has not been answered. It makes a difference. I don't think a stock plate is wise to use on a performance engine. Taking the weights off may be fine but you don't know what you really have. Our sprint car rules don't allow stock plates. The motors go to 8000 rpm.
Sorry guys. Just getting back on the puter. Yes, my engine is internally balanced (347 c.i.). I was in the mood to crank that sumbuck up yesterday and I'd remembered that at least ONE of the Ford engines had a neutral (same as zero) balance flexplate. I was going to throw one in there to iron out some other issues and then replace it later ("surrrrrre" I was). I'm not going to be spinning the engine higher than 6300 rpms, so it might be okay to use a 250c.i. flexplate. However, the $55 one isn't SFI approved - which NHRA sez it has to be - but then they're aren't going to look at it either. Truth is, I'll probably get an SFI approved one AFTER I've ironed out the starter/flexplate issues (to help prevent my feet from being cut off at my ankles when the cheapy flexplate lets go down the track). I now think there's something wrong with the threads in the bell housing where the starter bolts screw to. After only a few cranks, the starter bolts are loose! I kept tightengin them thinking they were getting tighter and tighter each time but that's not the case. :confused: Hopefully, I'll find out whats up when I drop the tranny.
Dan, I have a neutral balanced flexplate for an AOD. They cut the weight off too. But, they (the performance converter shop) also had to drill different size holes in various locations to get a 'real' zero balance.
