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Ford Big Block Pulley Guide

Ford Big Block Pulleys

The Ford Big Block engine was used by Ford between 1968 and 1997. The Big Block Ford 429 (7.0L) and 460 (7.5L) engines were also called the Ford MEL engine or the 385 series engines.

Water Pump Pulleys

Ford Big Block engines have 2 basic water pumps that are interchangeable except for the length. 1968-1969 Ford Big Block water pumps are 5.06”. In 1970, Ford changed to a taller, water pump that is 5.5” tall. CVF Racing pulleys are designed to be used with the newer 5.5” tall water pump. If you have an older pump, you will need to change to the taller pump – most aftermarket pumps are made to the taller dimension.

The bolt pattern for the water pump pulley is 4 bolts (5/16-24 UNF thread) on a 1.75” Diameter bolt circle. Many aftermarket 429 / 460 water pumps have a ¾” pilot diameter for the water pump pulley while some of the OEM pumps come with a 5/8” diameter pilot. Our Big Block Ford water pump pulleys come with a special bushing that allows our pulleys to accommodate either pilot diameter.

BBF Water Pump Casting #'s
C9VZ-8501-A: 1968-69
D1VY-8501-B: 1970-72
D2VY-8501-A: 1972-74
D4VY-8501-A: 1974+

Balancer Pulleys

429 - 460 Harmonic Balancers Dampers

Ford Big block engines were came with either internal and external balancing. The early engines (up to 1979) were internally balanced and used a simple round spacer between the damper and crankshaft. Later model engines (1979 +) were externally balanced using a hatchet style counterweight / spacer like the one shown to the right. You may need to machine the spacer length to get the correct damper offset – please consult with your engine builder or crankshaft manufacturer to make sure you have the correct length spacer installed.

Damper Bolt Pattern: 4 Bolts on a 3.3” Diameter with 2.2” pilot diameter.

Power Steering Pump Pulleys

Saginaw Power Steering Pump - Stud Lower Right

Ford 351W, 351C, 351M, 429 & 460 pulley
Shaft Diameter: 0.687" (11/16) Press Fit
Diameter: 5"
Offset: 1.35" (Distance from the front face of the pulley to the center of the first V-groove)

Ford Pear Shaped Saginaw Power Steering PumpFord and Saginaw Power Steering Pump Identification
Shaft Diameter: 0.750" (3/4") Press Fit
Diameter: 5.9"
Offset: 1.35" (Distance from the front face of the pulley to the center of the first V-groove)
** This pump is easily identified by the pear shaped reservoir built into the pump housing