Flywheel Question

[40fordpu]

First off, I have learned that there is a difference between a 1946-1948 flywheel and a 1949-1953 flywheel. Does anyone know the stock/standard thickness for a fresh flywheel within each year period(please correct me on terminology as well)? What is the "maximum" you can cut/machine off for each before it is unusable? Thanks

 

[Vergil]

Don't know what the minimum thickness would be, probably not all the flywheels would have the same point at rpm before exploding due to the history of each. I have two 8ba's and use Centerforce flywheels in both, thickness is right at .750". Didn't want to take the chance of a flywheel failure but people do lighten them without any problems.

Vergil

 

[chuck stevens]

I have an 8BA that was lighten down to 22 lbs., it has a lot of miles on it with no problems. Taking some weight of the bottom end makes a flathead real perky. Lots of fun in a light car.

 

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Don't try to use an 8BA flywheel on a 59AB engine and vice versa. They will bolt right but the ring gear ring gear postion in about 3/8in. forward or backward and you will have starter drive problem. Walt

 

[Zeke...PA]

Here was one way someone found to clear the starter plate using an early flywheel on an 8BA. Zeke

 

[40fordpu]

So an early flywheel with an 8ba rubs against the plate? What about running an 8ba motor with a 8ba flywheel with a 40 three speed ******? Any problems there?

 

[Zeke...PA]

The starter plate that was on the engine when I got it was a truck plate which stepped back about a half inch where cut. It also had a flywheel mount bolt plate with dowel pin holes added between the flywheel and crankshaft to space it back . It had a 10" pressure plate with a 9" disc. There are numerous combinations that can be cobbled in on these V8's. (that I am learning) I am picking up an 8BA flywheel tomorrow. Zeke

 

[quickgene]

So an early flywheel with an 8ba rubs against the plate? What about running an 8ba motor with a 8ba flywheel with a 40 three speed ******? Any problems there?

There is allways problems. It's friggen puzzle that never ends on these things. It's starting to seem like Ground hog day every morning.

If it's like mine I guess if you get a 49-50 merc bellhousing, that will use the bigger throw out bearing you need. Then you need to find a merc pressure plate (ford don't work)that fits your flywheel. May need a merc flywheel to get the pressure plate you need to fit. Or have the ford one redrilled for what you have. This stuff never ends. Whatever you do I hope you have $$$ and time because you will need both.
If you are putting this stuff in an older car like my 34 ford. The clutch linkage pushes the wrong way. Use a bellcrank pivot or switch to a mustang style bearing fork. You are on your own here. After a few problems you will wear out your information sorces. Have fun. Gene