Quick Question on balances

Dear Sir or Ma'am,

Recently I purchase window balances S390-28, option 2740, for some Alenco aluminum windows (vintage 1983?). My parts order number was 1256426. Upon installation I found that the balances would not stay in-place as expected as they did from previous installations of nearly the same balance model of S390-28 (slight change of option 2730 vs 2740).

Upon further analysis, I realized these problematic Alenco, faux-multi-pane windows are taller. The lower moving window part is 2-panes in height, whereas the fixed upper part of the window is 3-panes in height (instead of a normal ratio window with matching upper and lower window height sizing). So anyway, after I installed the S390-28, they wouldn't stay in place perhaps because of the vertical distance between the balance-hook hole and the take-out clip square hole is further apart. The potential problem distance: 25 5/8" between the balance-hook hole and the small-square take-out clip hole (is that non-standard?).

So my question is, do these taller 2v3 windows take a different balance, than standard ratio 2v2 windows? Please note that the S390-28 option 2730 balances worked great in the standard 2 versus 2 panes, window height. All windows are the same brand and vintage (Alenco, tan-colored aluminum, from the year 1983?). It's just that the front windows of the house have taller upper-fixed window sections.

Sorry that I don't have pictures to show you. It's a rental house that I was working on, so I couldn't spend the extra time I needed to analyze and re-measure the differences. Perhaps you'll need me to try again later to take additional measurements and photos.

Another possible variance, is that I'm using the 18-009 sash guides in error. I don't know what the OEM Alenco sash guides looked like, as they where all broken-off and mostly gone.

Thank you for your assistance.