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79 460 - should be externally balanced. Didn't check the block casting number, but it has the tomahawk sleeve on the crankshaft
Is there a visual difference between the externally balanced and the internally balanced harmonic balancers?
I've searched my balancer for an engineering number, but find only this:
D9TE-FA
There seem to be balancers from 73-78, and from 79-95, and even some that span all the years. Are they actually different, and how does one distinguish them?
All 460 balancers are neutral balance and are interchangeable. No, they are not! Where did you get this crap info from?
Originally Posted by PapaBearYuma
Now that's good to know! Geez Louise!No it isn't, because this info is BS!
Post #2: I listed the harmonic balancer part numbers and the block casting numbers for internal & external balance for 1974/79 460's.
I also did this for you in another thread where you asked this question. Plus, I've listed this same info dozens of times here on FTE over the past 10+ years.
Mid-year 1979: FoMoCo changed the 460 from internal to external balance. There is no before/from serial numbers or production dates.
The block casting number must be known to get the correct harmonic balancer and flexplate.
1968/73 Passenger Car 429, 1968/78 460, some 1979 460 are internally balanced.
Some 1979 460, 1980/97 460 are externally balanced, have a weighted crank spacer.
Papa bear. In your other post with the you tube video. When you were running the engine without. The balancer i swear I saw the external balance weight spinning around. I hope I'm not making myself look stupid. If so does that make your engine external balance,?
Post #2: I listed the harmonic balancer part numbers and the block casting numbers for internal & external balance for 1974/79 460's.
I also did this for you in another thread where you asked this question. Plus, I've listed this same info dozens of times here on FTE over the past 10+ years.
Mid-year 1979: FoMoCo changed the 460 from internal to external balance. There is no before/from serial numbers or production dates.
The block casting number must be known to get the correct harmonic balancer and flexplate.
1968/73 Passenger Car 429, 1968/78 460, some 1979 460 are internally balanced.
Some 1979 460, 1980/97 460 are externally balanced, have a weighted crank spacer.
Holy crap I know for a fact they are. The hatchet weight is the counter balance for the external balance engines. It is totally separate from the balancer. The balancer itself is neutral. D9TE blocks are the ones that are externally balanced. Those engines have longer cylinder bores than the earlier blocks. This necessitated smaller crank counter weights. These smaller counter weights resulted in Ford having to switch to external balancing, a.k.a. hatchet weight and weighted flexplate.
ALL 460's can use the same harmonic balancer, but not all 460's require the hatchet and the weighted flexplate.
I would reckon a guess that you have never built a 460 of any year.
Holy crap I know for a fact they are. The hatchet weight is the counter balance for the external balance engines. It is totally separate from the balancer. The balancer itself is neutral. D9TE blocks are the ones that are externally balanced. Those engines have longer cylinder bores than the earlier blocks. This necessitated smaller crank counter weights. These smaller counter weights resulted in Ford having to switch to external balancing, a.k.a. hatchet weight and weighted flexplate.
ALL 460's can use the same harmonic balancer, but not all 460's require the hatchet and the weighted flexplate.
I would reckon a guess that you have never built a 460 of any year.
I was a Ford parts guy for 35 years, so I know what I'm talking about.
In addition to the harmonic balancers, the flexplate is also different internal vs. external balance.
1973/79 Ford truck parts catalog clearly states that for 1979, the block casting number must be known to get the correct parts.
Post #2: I listed the harmonic balancer part numbers and the block casting numbers for internal & external balance for 1974/79 460's.
I also did this for you in another thread where you asked this question. Plus, I've listed this same info dozens of times here on FTE over the past 10+ years.
Mid-year 1979: FoMoCo changed the 460 from internal to external balance. There is no before/from serial numbers or production dates.
The block casting number must be known to get the correct harmonic balancer and flexplate.
1968/73 Passenger Car 429, 1968/78 460, some 1979 460 are internally balanced.
Some 1979 460, 1980/97 460 are externally balanced, have a weighted crank spacer.
Thanks, Bill, for the clarification.
I understand that sometime in 79 Ford switched from internal to external balancing on the 460. I further understand that the only way to positively determine internal or external balance is by the block casting number.
If I understand correctly (and that's a big if), the externally balanced engine have the "tomahawk spacer" on the crank, which goes into the timing cover. As seen in the video, my 79 has that "tomahawk spacer".
If the "tomahawk spacer" is the counterweight to balance the externally balanced engine, what is the functional difference between the early and later balancers?
But, my question in this thread remains: "how to tell an early (73-78) balancer from a late (79+) balancer?"
I kinda had the same thought that they are the same balancer too and the hatchet makes the difference. However I know the one I bought did say for internal balance...so I have no idea but see both sides of the argument.
Gee even Pioneer thinks they are exactly the same from 1969 to 1997. That covers EVERY 460 ever made AND most 429's! (Except the weirdo tbird 429's that used the short water pump and a special balancer with belt pulleys cast into it.)
I don't doubt that there are different part numbers for the old and new balancers, but I'm not yet convinced the balancers themselves are any different.
I don't doubt that there are different part numbers for the old and new balancers, but I'm not yet convinced the balancers themselves are any different.
Bill is claiming they are different - I will be curious to see in what regards that is the case.
