5.0-302 crank, same?
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
You could of course correct the balance problem by using the later flywheel and balancer, but there is another difference. At the same time that the imbalance was changed there was also a change to a one-piece rear main seal. This means that the crank is machined differently. I have both and was just looking at them, and it appears that the early crank won't work in a late block due to an extra flange on the back of the crank, but you may be able to use the late crank in an early block. I believe that extra flange is an oil slinger to help direct oil away from the seal, which isn't as critical with the late one-piece seals due to their improved sealing capabilities but trying to use the late crank with the early two-piece seal (if it will even fit) could result in a rear main leak.
I'll have to read up on this to see if the books say it's doable, but I dont recall having come across a reference to it before.
I'll have to read up on this to see if the books say it's doable, but I dont recall having come across a reference to it before.
