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Old Nov 18, 2008 | 08:23 AM
  #1  
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From: trenton ns canada
302 shakes

hello to all in here.this is my first post in this engine section I usually hang around the 73 to 79 truck forum but I just bought a 1978 ford 4x4.it had came originally with a 351m.it now has a 302,4spd and it idles great but as soon as you rev it over idle it vibrates fairly badly.I am going to check the fireing order later today to make sure it is right and put in some new plugs,wires,cap and button and some fresh gas.the truck sat in a garage for 7 years and I also have no idea what the engine came out of.where could I find a casting number on the block to find out?thanks in advance for any info you can share with me.
 
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Old Nov 18, 2008 | 04:22 PM
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how did you get the 302 to mount up in there? what flywheel did you use? definatly double check your firing order and get fresh fuel in there. replace the fuel filter as well
 
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Old Nov 18, 2008 | 08:58 PM
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From: Madison, MS
I have the 302 in my 81 F100, original engine thats on its second rebuild. The last one was just a "refresher" (new rings, bearings and caskets). About 10K miles after the rebuild, it began to shake like you describe. After all the usual tune-up stuff (plug, wires, cap & rotor, timing and carb adjustment) it still had the shakes. One day with my head under the hood I noticed the main pully wabbling, after pulling it and inspecting I didnt see anything abnormal, thats when I checked the harmonic balancer. The rubber was visibly cracked and with a little force I could turn the outer ring on the inner assyembly. After a new balancer she's running smoother than ever.
 
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Old Nov 19, 2008 | 06:17 AM
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From: trenton ns canada
I have no idea what the engine came out of it was in the truck when I bought it.but I gave it a set of plugs wires cap and button and still the same,I am going to toss another carb on it today and see what happens.I have also noticed the front ballancer kind of wobbles a bit,but not knowing what year the engine is or what it came from I have no idea what balancer it takes the 28 oz or the 50 oz.where can I find numbers on the block to find out what it is.thanks for the info guys.
 
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Old Nov 19, 2008 | 06:54 AM
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From: Raphine, Virginia
Pull the starter, you'll see the casting numbers.
 
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Old Nov 19, 2008 | 07:02 AM
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From: trenton ns canada
excellant 1985 thats great I'll do that later today.thank you.
 
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Old Nov 19, 2008 | 07:24 AM
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Now this goes against everything I have ever read and been told, but, on my son's old Bronco we actually found it on the drivers side at same place. It was a "86" 5.0 out of a Thunderbird. Changed flexplate to 28 oz. and same problem solved.
 
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Old Nov 19, 2008 | 10:50 AM
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From: Bend,OR
are you sure its a 5.0 in there?
 
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 08:42 AM
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The balancer came loose on my 1981 f 100 with a 302 engine and a part of it was broke off. That engine had a bad case of the shakes. ;o)
 
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 08:58 AM
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From: trenton ns canada
its definatly a 302.I never got the starter off it yet to check for the casting numbers.I did change the oil,wires,cap and button and swapped carbs of my 2wd and fired it up.ran considerably better then the first time.I have a set of plugs here I'm going to throw in shortly and see what happens.it still has a slight shake to it but far better then before.the crank pully has a slight wobble but the balancer is true.I contacted the po and he has no idea what the engine came out of it was in there when he bought the truck and it always ran smooth for him.so I'll try the plugs and see what happens and go from there.thanks for all your information guys its greatly appreciated.
 

Last edited by northeaster79; Nov 20, 2008 at 08:59 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old Nov 20, 2008 | 01:02 PM
  #11  
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From: trenton ns canada
well I have yet to reinstall the carb but I did put in a new set of plugs and came across something that may have caused the shake,the number three plug was ready to fall out,checked the threads and all looked good so I put the new plug in the whole,tightened up nicely.I gapped the autolight plugs at 45,I believe that is the right gap for one with a duraspark ignition but if I'm wrong someone please correct me.I think after work tonight I'll put the carb back on and see how she works then.
 
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