flywheel lighten by 7 lbs?

M

mikenorris

Junior Member
i understand that if you lighten the flywheel the transmission shifts easier. i live in the n c mountains an have troubles shifting 31 cabriolet. my clutch is not the best so i am going to have some work done. also does any one have any experience with the t-5 transmission kit or the synchronized tran. that brattons advertise. mike norris 829 926 5212 maggie valley n c
 
Mike, I am not sure that a lightened flywheel makes your shifting any easier but it does allow you to make faster shifts because the engine can "spool-down" faster. The bigger benefit IMO is there is less 'wear & tear' on the rear main due to the lighter flywheel. There is another Cabriolet owner in your same town that might could meet you and let you drive his car to see if the issues you are experiencing are just inherent with a Model A, --or whether there is actually issues with your transmission.

If you want to drive over the mountain in the next few days to Johnson City, I have a Roadster in here that we just installed a Mitchell synchro-ed transmission in if you would like to test drive it, ...but again you would need to do it in the next few days as the owners are gonna take it home.

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7 lbs. is not worth the trouble, nor will you be able to tell any difference. I lighten mine to the 35-38 lb. area, and use a V8 clutch and trans. The T-5 trans shifts really nice, and has better ratios than the A trans, better for hills.
 
Jim, I heard from James Rogers that Mr. Norris went and looked at James' Cabriolet and purchased a complete rebuilt lightened flywheel assy. including a V8 clutch & pp conversion to install in it. I spoke with M. Norris on the phone and I think he is going to wait on trying the aftermarket transmissions until he trys the lightened flywheel first.
 
When shopping for lightened flywheels find out the type of pressure plate you are getting.

Some sell the tractor pressure plate without the flyweights. I believe this is a still available new product so it is easy to get. It uses strong springs you have to press against. Not as comfortable to operate.

The passenger car pressure plate used flyweights and requires less pedal pressure to operate. The flyweights increase the pressure on the clutch as rpm's increase. This is more comfy to run and woman would appreciate the reduce pedal pressure.
 
I have a late 30 Cabbie with a v-8 clutch and lightened flywheel. A little more pressure on the left foot. It shifts fine for a loose ******. I'm very happy except the womens keep chasing me.
 
Kevin in NJ said:
When shopping for lightened flywheels find out the type of pressure plate you are getting.

Some sell the tractor pressure plate without the flyweights. I believe this is a still available new product so it is easy to get. It uses strong springs you have to press against. Not as comfortable to operate.

The passenger car pressure plate used flyweights and requires less pedal pressure to operate. The flyweights increase the pressure on the clutch as rpm's increase. This is more comfy to run and woman would appreciate the reduce pedal pressure.
Click to expand...

Kevin, the problem with this is that James probably sells about 50 lightened flywheel packages a year, and there is not enough "flathead pressure plates" around for him to have rebuilt, --and no one manufactures a new counterweighted type like the flathead originally used.

Now a viable option if someone truly wants the the same pedal pressure as what the flathead style would be, is to buy the modified clutch arm that is longer and using in conjunction with the "tractor pressure plate". IMHO, it is the way to go. I might also add that the last couple of flathead clutch cores I saw at Hershey were $150 a piece and they needed to be rebuilt. Factor in that cost on a commercially available set-up, and it might be cost prohibitive to some hobbyists.

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I have 3 real flathead 60 pressure plates and would not take 150$ each for any one of them. I have had the clutch shop where I get my plates to compare the originalto the ones I use and the difference is negligible. The one we use is actually easier on the pedal pressure but has more clamping pressure so, I will continue to use them.
 
I am aware that the flyweight types are only rebuilds/ good used.

If someone is going through all the trouble they should know what the options are as some may find the flyweight type quite appealing. After all, if you are going through all the trouble with a lightened flywheel you might as well gain the advantage of a flyweight clutch too.

Some rebuilders seem to find a supply as they always have some out for sale all mounted to a flywheel ready to go. If anyone wanted one for their car all they have to do is ask around. I would assume James would accommodate a customer if they really wanted one.
 
Maybe Im not a normal "A" model guy, But how did folks back in the A model era. ever get around with their stock model A's ?
I like driving around in one just like my Dad did, To me it's all part of the hobby. But it's all up to the guy who own's the car :cool:.
 
By reading the comments above ' I wonder is there not a diaphragm type plate on the market ? ( I hope the word diaphragm is right )
 
What did the 1949 Chevy pickup have for a pressure plate? I drive one every year in the Anoka Halloween parade, and that's the nicest, softest clutch I've ever used. I wonder if that could be bolted to a Model A flywheel with very little work?
 
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