Hello all from MD. 2005 Explorer 4.0litre sohc, Limited

[Bricky6870]

I also have a 2000 Ranger with the flex fuel version of this engine.
Can someone please point me to the proper forum to ask about the replacement of the harmonic balancer of my Explorer?

 

[RangerX]

Moved to proper forum for ya!

 

[Bricky6870]

Thanks Bill,
Long story short, my harmonic balancer has gone bad on my Explorer and I picked up a replacement at NAPA that the mechanic says is not right because it doesn't look like the old one on the truck now. My question is, has this part been re-engineered so it doesn't look like the old part but still works as It should?

 

[Dhjknight]

I recently changed mine as well it looked different but worked fine.

 

[Crater]

As Dhjknight said, the new ones may look a little different especially the timing exciter ring design.
I recommend you follow the repair manual's directive to install a new pulley bolt, they are torque to yield (35 foot pounds, then an additional 80 degrees or so), double-check to make sure. They are only about $8 at your Ford dealer and should be in stock.
Additionally, you'll need extra-long bolts to remove the pulley, somebody did an excellent write-up on it here, check it out.