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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

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    8/11/2021 4:30 PM  #1

    mrputz1
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    Registered: 3/15/2014
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    1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    tried to start engine with standard ignition wiring . It would suddenly stop while cranking . The Harmonic balancer is aluminum . now at top dead center the timing marks on the balancer are way off . Could it have sheared the key and the balancer has slipped position ? I am going to pull the belt pully and investigate . are there different balancers for a standard engine vs an HO engine ?

     

    8/12/2021 8:19 AM  #2

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    I've never heard of the shearing the crankshaft key for the harmonic balancer, but I guess it could happen.  I suggest removing the crankshaft bolt & washer, you will be able to see the key.  (Use a mirror, or take a picture)
    I do not know if there are different balancers.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    8/12/2021 12:25 PM  #3

    josh-kebob
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    From: Madison, AL
    Registered: 4/06/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Need more info on your engine.
    Is it a stock build '93 HO or something more?

    List any engine mods.
    Who installed the alum balancer and why?

    As for your original question, no difference in harmonic balancer between HO and non HO roller block engines.

    What transmission?

     

    8/12/2021 1:24 PM  #4

    TKOPerformance
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Unlikely you sheared the crank key.  I've only ever seen that on highly loaded blower engines.  Possibly you spun the outer ring of the balancer.

    The difference in balancers is primarily where you read timing.  Ford used no less than 3 different locations and each location has its own pointer and balancer.  Mix and match yields timing that is way off.  You can always find TDC and just install a timing tape though. 

     

    8/12/2021 4:00 PM  #5

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    What is standard engine by your definition?  What year?

     

    8/12/2021 4:47 PM  #6

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    I have had balancers crack around the keyway slot, it gives the same appearance as a sheared off key, but the balancer is destroyed in the process. 
    If that is the case, a new balancer is in order, and the seal in the timing cover MUST be replaced, as the broken balancer will have wiped out the seal.

    It is possible the outer ring on the balancer has shifted, if the broken keyway is not the problem.

    Either way, a new balancer is required.  Replace the seal also, in either case.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    8/12/2021 5:51 PM  #7

    lowercasesteve
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    From: Auburn, Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Make sure the balancer and the flywheel have the same imbalance.  otherwise you will have a vibration like yours.

    Original owner - 351w,T-5, 4whl disks, power R&P
     

    8/13/2021 5:28 AM  #8

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    '93 engine would be a 50 oz imbalance, earlier engines are 28oz imbalance.  I'd be concerned about what flywheel/flexplate is on the engine as the two parts physically interchange, but don't balance correctly on the wrong engine.  If this is a classic swap and the existing flywheel/flexplate was used that's going to cause issues. 

     

    8/13/2021 8:38 AM  #9

    BobE
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Something else to check, the timing gear on the distributor may be the issue.  I had the pin that holds the gear to the distributor shaft of an aftermarket distributor start to back out and elongate the hole in the gear that made the timing jump around.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    8/13/2021 9:38 AM  #10

    josh-kebob
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Hopefully the OP will reply with an update of what he discovered

     

    8/13/2021 11:21 AM  #11

    John Ha
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    From: Mitchell, SD
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    There's too little input information.  
    •  Was the engine running correctly before or is this the first start? 
    •  If it was running before, what did you change before you encountered this issue?
    •  What is "standard ignition wiring" and why did you think it significant to mention?
    •  Please clarify "It would suddenly stop while cranking" - does it crank at all, or does the engine crank, fire and then shut off when you release the key to "run", or ...?
    •  Are the timing marks on the balancer correct for the timing pointer location on your engine (there are different front covers that have the pointer on opposite sides of the engine).
    •  Are you sure that you have all the spark plug wires in the right place on the distributor and on the engine?

    Last edited by John Ha (8/13/2021 11:25 AM)

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    8/13/2021 2:58 PM  #12

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    John is absolutely correct, mrputz1.
    Answer all his questions and give us more info. I am especially curious about that aluminum balancer. I have never seen one.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    8/22/2021 3:27 PM  #13

    mrputz1
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    SORRY about all the confusion i created . It was a polished steel after market balancer not aluminum .e/bay  JUNK,  the woodruff key slot was not machined correctly which allowed the balancer to slip position and the engine to be out of balance. The end result was a new PRO Products balancer from Summit  50 oz  and a .975 spacer to align the zoops serpentine belt system . All of it on my 32 five window coupe . I know this is a MUSTANG web site but you guys have been around the block many times with FORDS . Thank you for allowing an 85 year old still learning guy like me to bounce ? from time to time .  FORD IN A FORD the only way to drive .

       •Thread Starter
     

    8/22/2021 5:26 PM  #14

    6sally6
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    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    I really NEEEEED to see that 5-window!!!!!
    Where you from??!
    Ever think about doing a MS Bash with us? (You're even older than Bullet Bob!!!!!)WOW!
    No kid'ding......love to  meet cha........
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    8/22/2021 5:46 PM  #15

    mrputz1
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Thank you for accepting my dumb apology . i am for California .Too far for a  Bash . How can i post a picture .

       •Thread Starter
     

    8/22/2021 6:18 PM  #16

    josh-kebob
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Glad it's fixed and you shared the results with us. Keep hanging out here....

     

    8/23/2021 8:00 AM  #17

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Just some well-earned experience making this statement:  if your balancer slipped on the woodruff key, and you installed a new balancer on the same woodruff key, the chances are very high you will soon be replacing another balancer if the key was rounded AT ALL. I always recommend installing a brand new woodruff key if the old one has ANY wear on it. There is not much engagement into the balancer slot to begin with. A rounded edge key will break a new balancer in a very short time.   

    Glad you got the original problem figured out. Welcome to FYIFORD FORUM https://fyi.boardhost.com
    I BET WE CAN LEARN ALOT FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, TOO.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    8/23/2021 8:56 AM  #18

    rpm
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    Registered: 9/17/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    mrputz1 wrote:

    Thank you for accepting my dumb apology . i am for California .Too far for a  Bash . How can i post a picture .

    Sounds like we gotta get a Cali Bash in the rotation.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    8/23/2021 7:16 PM  #19

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    I love seeing a Ford in a Ford.

     

    8/24/2021 12:14 AM  #20

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
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    Re: 1993 302 HO engine vibrating even at idle .

    Nos681 wrote:

    I love seeing a Ford in a Ford.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

     

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