SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1965 GT350/R-Model => Topic started by: andric on October 16, 2021, 04:27:39 PM

Title: Harmonic balancer
Post by: andric on October 16, 2021, 04:27:39 PM
Wondering if someone can tell me if this harmonic balancer would be correct for my 1965 Shelby GT 350. It has Ford logo and number C5OE A but it has degree marks all the way around the balancer. Rick
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: mygt350 on October 16, 2021, 04:33:01 PM
Not correct
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: GT350Lad on October 16, 2021, 05:11:54 PM
Yeah not correct
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: J_Speegle on October 16, 2021, 05:24:38 PM
Wondering if someone can tell me if this harmonic balancer would be correct for my 1965 Shelby GT 350. It has Ford logo and number C5OE A but it has degree marks all the way around the balancer. Rick

Is your car a non-R model?
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: andric on October 16, 2021, 05:49:46 PM
Yes #256
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: J_Speegle on October 16, 2021, 07:08:53 PM
Yes #256


Registry shows that 5S256 was not an R model

With that information I would agree with the others that it would not look like/match the original one for your car
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: andric on October 16, 2021, 07:54:23 PM
Does that mean this balancer is correct for an R model?
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: mygt350 on October 16, 2021, 08:38:16 PM
It may be correct for a R-model, but its certainly not correct for your car, 5S256.
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: J_Speegle on October 16, 2021, 09:25:34 PM
Does that mean this balancer is correct for an R model?

Maybe. Would need some more detailed pictures to compare it to other original fully degreed balancers of the period.
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: shelbydoug on October 17, 2021, 07:53:43 AM
It depends on what you mean as "correct". You wouldn't get one on a regular "street" '65. You didn't have to race just a R model. Some documented S cars were raced.

In the preparation of a race engine, a fully degreed balancer was often used. They were available from SA separately as well as complete SA race prepped engines.

Some racers felt, and possibly justifiably, that the public didn't get the same power level as the factory cars did and wanted to do their own.

What's the history of your car?
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: mygt350 on October 17, 2021, 10:00:24 AM
Was that particular car number "born" with a fully degreed balancer? If not, I suspect it's not "correct" for that particular car.
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: shelbydoug on October 17, 2021, 10:01:56 AM
Was that particular car number "born" with a fully degreed balancer? If not, I suspect it's not "correct" for that particular car.

Cars aren't born. I suspect the issue here is more a debate of what the terms mean rather then the reality?
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: andric on October 17, 2021, 10:15:57 AM
Thank you for your replies. I should have explained that I bought my car in 1980 and it didn’t have the original engine.  I found a serial numbered HiPo engine that was very close to the date of my car. I thought this was the best I could do without the original engine. I really don’t know the exact date that my car was built but I think it arrived at Shelby in May of 1965. This balancer was on that engine. It’s taken a long time but I finished the restoration a few years ago and have been running that balancer on my engine. I’ve located another balancer which I have attached some pictures and is date coded 5E. I believe that date is May 1965 which is very close to the date of my car. I guess I am wondering if I should put the 5E balancer on instead.
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: shelbydoug on October 17, 2021, 10:36:51 AM
With a used balancer there is always a chance that it was rebalanced to another assembly and won't work right with your engine.

If you knew specifically the engine that it came off of and it was never touched new from Ford, then that's a different story but how can you be sure now?

Since your engine is running fine, personally I'd keep the degreed on the engine and the one you just bought on the shelf. When it's time to sell it offer it to the new buyer.

Keen eyes will notice it on your car and will suspect a S-A blueprinted race engine in it. Why disappoint them?

There are all kinds of day 2 cars. Many are just a bit better then as delivered. ;)
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: trotrof1 on October 17, 2021, 10:54:52 AM
5S228 as per registry arrived at SA   5/7/65.  I suspect a April dated balancer would be best but you could start a query and compare other cars in your time frame.
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: texas swede on October 17, 2021, 02:19:03 PM
I agree with the others, keep the one on your engine as the May 65 dated balancer is too late for your car anyway.
Texas Swede
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: andric on October 17, 2021, 07:41:17 PM
I appreciate all the replies. As I stated before my car does not have the original engine. The engine in my car is #5R09K244XXX which is different than my car and is date coded June of 1965. My car was probably built in April. The E5 balancer that I have is right for my engine but not right for my car. Since all HiPos have serial numbers it is immediately evident when a car doesn’t have its original engine. Thus, should engine parts be date coded to the engine or to the car?
Title: Re: Harmonic balancer
Post by: camp upshur on October 17, 2021, 11:02:33 PM


My car arrived at SAI on 9 May.
It has a March balancer on a 28 April build engine (I've never seen an April stamped balancer...anyone?).