flywheel info

hardtimes

hardtimes

Well-known member
I have a '32 stock flywheel.
A machinist acquaintance said that he has never 'lightened' such equipment.

Is there any posted info , like a diagram, etc, in writing...that I could give him as directions on 'how to lighten an A/B flywheel ?
If so, could you please direct me to copy such for this machinist !
Thanks

BTW..this B flywheel is 54 lbs stock with bearing and ring gear.
 
hardtimes said:
I have a '32 stock flywheel.
A machinist acquaintance said that he has never 'lightened' such equipment.

Is there any posted info , like a diagram, etc, in writing...that I could give him as directions on 'how to lighten an A/B flywheel ?
If so, could you please direct me to copy such for this machinist !
Thanks

BTW..this B flywheel is 54 lbs stock with bearing and ring gear.
Click to expand...
Les Andrews Vol. II has a discussion on how to lighten an A flywheel, including diagrams of where to remove metal.

Not trying at all to start a discussion on whether you should do this.

JayJay
 
I just did one a couple of weeks ago.
 

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JayJay said:
Les Andrews Vol. II has a discussion on how to lighten an A flywheel, including diagrams of where to remove metal.

Not trying at all to start a discussion on whether you should do this.

JayJay
Click to expand...


Hey Jay ,
I think that I have that written info. Ill check it out
 
I would look for another machinist. I have it in the back of mind that one of the prints contained errors so you might compare a couple.

Charlie Stephens
 
BING / GOOGLE a local Model A club near you to find a machine shop also near you that has expertise with the process. Much quicker acceleration, less stress and wear on main bearings, and shifting is smoother, particularly when having to 'double-clutch'. Some say that they then did not have to D-C. I also found an increase in mph.
 
Charlie Stephens said:
I would look for another machinist. I have it in the back of mind that one of the prints contained errors so you might compare a couple.

Charlie Stephens
Click to expand...


Yes there are two versions

1. The first was published in S.O.S.S magazine (as I remember) and has an error.


2. The second one issued shortly after the first corrected the error.
 
Benson said:
Yes there are two versions

1. The first was published in S.O.S.S magazine (as I remember) and has an error.


2. The second one issued shortly after the first corrected the error.
Click to expand...

Hey Charlie and Benson,
Thanks for your info/help.
Yeah confusing info is costly too
Anyone have access to second version ‘ how to ‘ ?
 
hardtimes said:
Hey Charlie and Benson,
Thanks for your info/help.
Yeah confusing info is costly too
Anyone have access to second version ‘ how to ‘ ?
Click to expand...

I do, but I'm going to suggest you convert the flywheel to accept the V8 style pressure plate and stop there. If anything else, just remove 0.050 off of the outside to clean it up. IMO, too light is worse than a little heavy.
 
I concur with Brent. I have three cars with V-8 pressure plates. One has a 42 # flywheel, One has a stock Model A flywheel - 64#, and one has a V-8 flywheel - 54#. As faar as daily driving I can not tell the diference. The light one at 42# was built for my racer.
 
You can buy a lightened clutch from Snyders for $475 with the V8 clutch. It is balanced and ready to go. Probably cheaper than having a machinist turn your flywheel, buying the clutch, and having the sum balanced. Also, less risk.
 
kenparker0703 said:
I concur with Brent. I have three cars with V-8 pressure plates. One has a 42 # flywheel, One has a stock Model A flywheel - 64#, and one has a V-8 flywheel - 54#. As faar as daily driving I can not tell the diference. The light one at 42# was built for my racer.
Click to expand...
Hey Ken,
Like you state, I have used several wts flywheels in several different B engines.
I’ve driven stock A/B engines for long time.
As Jim B, I’ve used 35 lb as lightest in 30 roadster. This one drove easiest and smoothest with V8 PP.

I have one that is near running stage with a Stipe aluminum flywheel and V8 setup. This one will have ton of power, so light flywheel will do.

The new Burtz flywheel is 30 lb and balanced to use with his engine.

Im actually at a stage/crossroads where I need to make the flywheel lightening decision... on the B Im working. The stock poured bearings are a consideration here also, eh !
 
Jim,

What diaphragm clutch did you use? Seems to be lots of debate related the the throwout bearing interface with the fingers. Also, whether to use 9" or 10" .

Thanks in advance for your reply. Much easier to learn from someone that has done it.

Richard
 
This is a note on how a lightened flywheel works. It is not advice on whether to use it or not.

All crankshafts vibrate in torsion at all speeds. There is always a node point where there is no vibration with the torsion being ahead and behind that point. With the heavy stock flywheel the node point is right at the flywheel which means that no torsional vibration is felt at the flywheel. When the flywheel is lightened the node point moves forward so that now there is some vibration in the flywheel. You can feel this in the steering wheel when driving a car with a lightened flywheel. It smooths out at higher rpm.

Even though there is no torsional vibration felt with the stock flywheel does not mean that the crankshaft is not vibrating in torsion. It is at all rpm's. It will vibrate more at a critical speed which is a higher rpm.
 
rwh said:
Jim,

What diaphragm clutch did you use? Seems to be lots of debate related the the throwout bearing interface with the fingers. Also, whether to use 9" or 10" .

Thanks in advance for your reply. Much easier to learn from someone that has done it.

Richard
Click to expand...
It's a Ranger, Mustang, Thunderbird pressure plate. It is a 9" diaphragm. The bolt pattern is unique and uses dowel pins to locate it. I used the Sachs SC0047. Bought it from Amazon. I used a disc from Speedway for the Camaro V8 T5 trans. This diaphragm clutch will not work with the stock trans. The fingers bind on the input sleeve when depressed (Personal experience). Here is a drawing of the bolt pattern. Also shows where I lightened it. I used Ford Racing M6397A302 Pressure Plate Bolt and Dowel Kit.
 

Attachments

rwh said:
Jim,

What diaphragm clutch did you use? Seems to be lots of debate related the the throwout bearing interface with the fingers. Also, whether to use 9" or 10" .

Thanks in advance for your reply. Much easier to learn from someone that has done it.

Richard
Click to expand...

Richard,
there are several ways to do it, have worked on a couple.
there are a couple PP from Mustang and Ranger that will work.
in order to do it correctly, the flywheel must be drilled with the proper pattern AND have the locating pins installed. the difference between the long finger and diaphragm is only a 1/16" on the bolt holes and just hogging out the holes is not the proper way to do it.

John
 
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