390 damper suggestions?

[FreakysFords]

First off, Hidy all.

It's been a while. I've pretty much done nothing but the little nit picky things to my Darlin. We had some major issues with the house pop up (you always find the fun things with the home you move into about a year after you move in. fun fun fun) but now it's time to get back to my truck.

She's a 69 swb Ranger package.
P/S, disc front, 390, 3sp (trans has GOT to go, but it's all I have at the moment)

Engine is a car 390, 4brl. '66 if I recall correctly. I need to add the engine component codes to my log book as I'm now certain that I'm sticking with this particular FE.

I'm collecting parts to go ahead and tear the FE down and freshen up. She really just needs resealed, but I want to take care of the valve guides and other minor areas, so might as well re-ring at the least.

One of my problems here is the damper. I want to address this while I'm at it and would like some suggestions.

I'm trying to decide between stock and aftermarket. What have your experiences been with whatever aftermarket you have used, and what would you consider the best source for stock?

[convincor]

stock- http://www.damperdoctor.com/Merchant2/m ... y_Code=FOR

aftermarket- can go wrong with this Pro Products for $86 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-FE- ... ccessories

[Hawkrod]

stock- http://www.damperdoctor.com/Merchant2/m ... y_Code=FOR

aftermarket- can go wrong with this Pro Products for $86 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-FE- ... ccessories

Thanks for the plug! You are right, it is very hard to go wrong with the Pro Products part. When I helped design it, the biggest issue was universal application. The stock 427 balancer was limited to using 67 and older crank pulleys which can be an issue. On this balancer you can use both 67 and older and the 68 pulleys as it has both bolt patterns in the face of the balancer and comes with a spacer for use with 68 and newer pulleys. To use it with 67 and older stuff you just use it as it comes out of the box but for 68 and newer you unbolt the pulley and put the spacer on and use your pulleys. The balancer is the same design as the 427 balancer and so it also comes with a timing pointer as the 427 balancer is 7.5 inches in diameter. If you have a bottom mount alternator you can run into issues as you need the C8AE bottom alternator adjustment arm, a 427 adjustment arm, or the stock brackets from an AC truck (The one that has the alternator adjustment arm attached to it). The stock 66 and 67 bottom mount alternator bracket will not work as it rubs the balancer. Another potential issue to be aware of, although it is getting to be a smaller issue due to time lapse, the original Pro Products balancers were not designed to use both styles of crank pulleys. You can ID the older ones because they have 6 bolts holding the pulley on, like the picture shown in that auction. There are actually very few of those floating around but most retailers use that older picture. The newer balancer has 3 bolts holding the pulley on and also three extra holes for your accessory pulleys. 99% of the time you will get the newer style but there are a few vendors still selling old stock so be sure and ask before you bid if buying off of eBay. Hawkrod

[FreakysFords]

Was wondering if you'd chime in Hawkrod. I had honestly forgotten about the pro products damper till convicor mentioned it. suffice it to say that for around the same money I'll be going with the Pro Products damper.

Now to find a pulley set I'm happy with. (staying stock here, but looking for parts that will clean up)

I also need to figure out my P/S bracket. At the moment, it's got the pump bumping the oil filter. I "think" it's still the car bracket, but haven't investigated yet.

Also, has anyone had any issues with using the smaller distributor caps on DS distributors and 6al? I know the gap is definitely a better setup, but wondering if anyone's had issues with the small caps (for looks and nothing more, going to hide a 6al2 under the dash and disguise the blaster coil to looks stockish).

Btw, for those who don't know me, the truck, or remember, it's not going to be anything near a racer, but I do enjoy a fun weekday run what ya brung day at the track.

[convincor]

Thanks for the plug! . Hawkrod

I didn't know you had something to do with it. cool.

[Hawkrod]

Thanks for the plug! . Hawkrod

I didn't know you had something to do with it. cool.

It was kind of a fluke that I was able to help with the project. I had talked with Jim Davis at Pro Products about some parts he needed for development and he was talking about a balancer. I pointed out that it could be done to fit both and next thing you know we were loading parts up, measuring stuff and you see the finished product (I have one from the first run in my garage!). We are also working on an intake manifold for FE's but unfortunately his head machinist/mold man retired and the project is dead until he gets a replacement that can handle abstract thinking (just because it does not make sense to you does not mean it does not work! LOL). Hawkrod

[dcbullet]

What's nice about the aftermarket one is that you can actually read the timing numbers on it when the engine is running.

[Dragon]

Now if someone would come out with replacement sleeves.