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The tech at Basic Power told me the damper I needed "will not look like the original and will fasten to the flywheel with only three bolts."

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A later (October, 2014) look at the catalog description indicates the damper ordered and received is correct for my Ford (by PCM).

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The damper is marked "Sach's Automotive" with "FLYWHEEL SIDE" (above) labeled. Other, not very clear markings include "BBD-O 0 7 UL" and "14EZM." (A very clear LADO DO VOLANTE -- or flywheel side is clearly labeled.)

The damper plate easily slides on the splines of the transmission shaft.

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Friend and boat mechanic Bud Eiler expressed concerns about the skimpy number of bolts (only 3) fastening the damper to the flywheel. So I did a little more research.

I spoke with "Basic Power" tech this morning (10/15/14). "Yes, if it's a Ford 302, it bolts up with only three bolts -- I've installed hundreds of them."
I'll use new grade 8 bolts, although BP tech says grade 5 will work fine. Torque? "20 - 25 ft/pounds."

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Today, 10/15/14, I acquired three new grade 8 5/16" x 1" bolts and washers. Another boat owner says he used red Loctite and torqued 3 bolts to 35 ft/lbs:

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Note, on engine above, the plate is fastened with three bolts. The one next below with six.

Bud is still concerned about the plate purchased from "Basic Power." I'm beginning to see why. The circle O. D. of rivet heads holding the "spline" to the plate protrude from the "flywheel side" of the plate by .040 inch. Notice how the maker of this flex plate allows for the rivet heads to clear the face of the flywheel:

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On the new plate, the rivet heads holding the "spline" to the plate protrude from the "flywheel side" of the plate by .042 inch.

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. . . and the (O. D.) diameter of the circle of rivets is 5-5/8", while the opening in the center of the flywheel is 5-1/2".

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Because the rivet heads protrude .042" (less than 1/16") and the diameter of the recess in the flywheel is a bit smaller (by apx. 1/8") than the O.D. of rivets' "circle," the plate won't lie flat. If the diameter of the recess can be enlarged from 5-1/2" to 5-5/8", the plate would lie flat.

Discussion here.

Discussion here.