A bunch of people I know get together on Sunday Mornings for a cruise in. My wife decided the other day we should go even though it's Mother's Day and take our older daughter with us. I normally roll out the stang, but had washed the Cougar and gassed her up so I felt it was a good time to take her out.
KABOOM.... My harmonic balancer on the Cougar exploded on the way there......SFI approved, 3 years old, 2000 miles on it. The main part was intact, but the spacer setup had a bolt back off apparently causing the others to shear.....tossed the spacer, the crank pulley and the belt onto the road. Luckily I was traveling slowly as I had just come off the parkway exit ramp so no other damage. I'm vexed as to why the bolt backed out. I can specifically remember and actually visualize when I put the locktite on them. I had all of them lined up on my buddy's toolbox at his shop. I haven't investigated too far, but the helicoil for the missing bolt doesn't look too hot...
My thanks to my friends who helped and gave support. Not a good start to the day especially considering my wife and older daughter were with me.
I hope the rest of you fared better today and I hope your Mother's Day was enjoyable.
And FWIW my brakes will stop the Cougar AND a full size Bronco attached to it via a tow strap much better than anyone expected.
Well that certainly sucks. I am sure it was rough going for awhile but years from know you will probably laugh about the mothers day gone awry due to your automobile "habit". lol, hopefully your wife is understanding.
Hope you get the Cougar going again soon!
What brand balancer was it, that way I can stay away from it...
It was a Pro Sport. FWIW the balancer itself is still in place. I ordered a Summit Racing one. It comes with spacers as well. Looks to be a similar setup to what I have. I will be getting some crank pulley bolts that have provisions for safety wire.
I saw this on facebook, I'm glad you got away without anything happening to that new paint job.
Hahahaahaha!!!! Always a silver lining....? No one wants to brag about stopping power, but it's usually in as short supply as horsepower!!
Tis why I run a Motorcraft damper ;).
I don't like how the rubber on a stock style damper deteriorates. THis spacer with the new damper should be bulletproof.
++++100
I also found that a stock up dated damper is the way to go. I personally dont like the spacer setup. Just me not a BIGGIE.
Mounted the Ford Racing spacer on the Summit SFI balancer. It's NICE! Also -- FWIW the crank pulley from a mid 90's 302 pickup is the same size as ours and is revise in that it is one piece as opposed to 2 that are welded together. It's also lighter.
What years? The bone yard near me always has F150s with 302s I can pull the pulley from.
Part # starts with F2. Got mine off a 94.
I think that newer pulley would've came out with the "new" '92 trucks...I had a '91 and there are several major changes, the front section of the frames are different, of course the sheet metal, lights, hood, bumper, etc, but there's some engine stuff that's a little different too. Smaller starters, different belt length, (the belt from the 91 5.0 was too long for my 92 5.0..) and a few other small items I've long since forgotten.
I had the original one, one from a '90 Mustang, and the one I put on all together. I should have snapped pics for reference....