Since I now have a '80 5.0 engine, can I still use the harmonic balancer and fly wheel that came off of the '74 302 that I removed?
To be sure of what you have you can look at the front counterweight of the crankshaft and read the casting number. '68-'80 = 2M or 2MA (28 oz imbalance), '81-up 2MAE (50 oz imbalance).
Since the engine is on the stand, I able to check, and recheck the engine casting number. With all your help, can you verify with me that this is a 1980? The first four letters/numbers are: E0AE. So, E=1980 decade and 0=the year 1980, correct?
That number tells you when the mold was designed, not when the block was actually cast. The actual casting date is on a pad right above the starter. Sometimes it's hard to see, it looks like it's riveted to the block. Ford's "official" start date for 50 oz imbalance parts was 1981, but I've heard people say they have seen the newer cranks in engines as early as 1979. As mentioned, the best way to know what you need is to look at the casting number on the crank's front counterweight. That will tell you if it's 28 oz or 50 oz imbalance.
