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2018+ OEM Harmonic Balancer

GregO

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It was mentioned that the 2018 OEM harmonic balancers were upgraded. Did anyone figure out if the 18+ balancer is a direct fit to a 15-17 5.0 and is there merit in switching if this is a direct bolt on ?
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sabtaj1

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Fluid dampened from what I read. But I dunno about fitment
 

ZenkaiRacer

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Gonna bump this as I am wondering about this as well. Thanks.
 

EFI

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2021 went back to the older style, likely for cost savings.
Which is interesting, because in articles describing the difference between Gen 2 and Gen 3 Coyotes, most mention the upgraded damper as one of the reasons for the increased redline to 7500 (along with a few other tidbits like stiffer springs and re-balanced crankshaft).

But now that they are going back to the non-fluid damper yet keeping the 7500rpm redline, it makes me wonder if the damper was never really needed to begin with. I'm sure it's better, but not 100% required if Ford was able to achieve the same engine speed without it.
 

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engineermike

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It does seem like opg failures are rare on the gen3 in spite of the higher rpm, and according to the oft-quoted Ford insider, harmonics is what was causing the failures to begin with.
 

ice445

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It does seem like opg failures are rare on the gen3 in spite of the higher rpm, and according to the oft-quoted Ford insider, harmonics is what was causing the failures to begin with.
Makes me wonder if the new engines have the belt driven variable pump that the f150 has. But there's no real way to confirm. But given they went back to the old damper, I can't think of any other reason.
 
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GregO

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It does seem like opg failures are rare on the gen3 in spite of the higher rpm, and according to the oft-quoted Ford insider, harmonics is what was causing the failures to begin with.
Maybe the smart guys at Ford have had enough time to mitigate the critical vibrations via ECU/PCM programing strategy vs. fluid style mechanical crankshaft damper.
I’m just guessing but with torque based Drive by wire engine management the Coyote team has figured out how to reduce loads at the damaging critical speed points via cam timing, ignition timing, throttle position etc.
This is all a guess on my part based on the assumption the OPG is failing due to those nasty Critical Speed points along the operating RPM range.
 
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Schwerin

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Maybe the smart guys at Ford have had enough time to mitigate the critical vibrations via ECU programing strategy vs. fluid style mechanical crankshaft damper.
I’m just guessing but with torque based Drive by wire engine management the Coyote team has figured out how to reduce loads at the damaging critical speed points via cam timing, ignition timing, throttle position etc.
This is all a guess on my part based on the assumption the OPG is failing due to those nasty Critical Speed points along the operating RPM range.
Could also be the 2021+ has better OPG's.
 

ZenkaiRacer

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I was curious to see how much this fluid damper is, but I cant find it anywhere. Was wondering if its significantly less than an ATI. I plan to change the damper whenever I get to the pump gears/sprocket.
 

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It was mentioned that the 2018 OEM harmonic balancers were upgraded
If by upgraded you mean downgraded cause Ford cheaped out and went with a elastomer harmonic damper on the 18+.
 

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