I have read a couple of threads where guys were having trouble getting the flywheel and starter to Mesh correctly. I am having the same problem, but here is where it gets different,. I have a 1973 429 that is suppose to be internally balanced. I did not know this at the time of the swap so I bought a flywheel for an 1988 ford which is external balanced. From what everyone says it should vibrate badly. I dont have any vibration , what will this do to the motor and why isnt my starter meshing with this combination. thanks for any input.

 

welcome to fte.

i do not think you can hook up a zf to a 429 engine.

 

A ZF will mate to the 429 as long as the ZF was orginally behind a 460. Glenn, you probably want either the 460 forum or the transmission forum below, or maybe the 73 to 79 forum. As for the balance, I would think the engine should shake at all RPMs and never smooth out especially as the crank bearings get a faster wear on them. But dont know for sure.