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Topic: Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it..... (Read 1472 times) previous topic - next topic

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

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.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #1
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!
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #2
What brand balancer was it, that way I can stay away from it...
Mike

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #3
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.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #4
I saw this on facebook, I'm glad you got away without anything happening to that new paint job.

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #5
Quote from: V8Demon;389842
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.


Hahahaahaha!!!! Always a silver lining....? No one wants to brag about stopping power, but it's usually in as short supply as horsepower!!
1987 20th Anniversary Cougar, 302 "5.0" GT-40 heads (F3ZE '93 Cobra) and TMoss Ported H.O. intake, H.O. camshaft
2.5" Duals, no cats, Flowmaster 40s, Richmond 3.73s w/ Trac-Lok, maxed out Baumann shift kit, 3000 RPM Dirty Dog non-lock TC
Aside from the Mustang crinkle headers, still looks like it's only 150 HP...
1988 Black XR7 Trick Flow top end, Tremec 3550
1988 Black XR7 Procharger P600B intercooled, Edelbrock Performer non-RPM heads, GT40 intake AOD, 13 PSI @5000 RPM. 93 octane

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #6
Tis why I run a Motorcraft damper ;).
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #7
I don't like how the rubber on a stock style damper deteriorates.  THis spacer with the new damper should be bulletproof.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #8
Quote from: thunderjet302;390153
Tis why I run a Motorcraft damper ;).




++++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.
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #9
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.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #10
What years? The bone yard near me always has F150s with 302s I can pull the pulley from.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #11
Part # starts with F2.  Got mine off a 94.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #12
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.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

 

Mother's Day -- Yup, I ruined it.....

Reply #13
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....
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!