6 or 8 bolt spacer or a flexplate in the 4.0L 1997 Aerostar?

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Lots of references indicate that the 4L Cologne V6 started getting the 8-bolt crank in mid to late 1997 in the Ranger and Explorer. I've yet to find any mention of when the Aerostar got the 8-bolt crank. Logically, it doesn't make sense that it would have gotten rolled out just as production ended, but weirder things have happened. Anyone know for sure? Better yet, is there any way to ID a long-block with the 8-bolt crank while the transmission is still attached? Ya know, like in a junkyard.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check parts listings for the flexplate. It will show how many bolt holes there are.

 

[BrooklynBay]

6 or 8 bolt flywheel?

Hi, I have a 1997 Ranger XLT 5 spd ...Does any one know a way (short of removing the transmission) to know which size flywheel I have. It appears they changed over to a 8 bolt flywheel sometime in 97? Thanks in advance for the help..

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