flywheel weight?

glenn in camino

glenn in camino

Well-known member
I'm working on a stock A engine except for a B cam and a B head. Should I have the flywheel lightened? If so, how much should I have taken off? I want the engine to idle nice and not be hard on the rear main.
 
It depends on your goals Glenn. A stock weight flywheel (62 lbs.) allows an engine to idle nicely. As the compression is raised, it make the idle more eratic as the piston is slowed down more prior to combustion due to the higher compression yet it accelerates faster after the combustion due to extra power the extra compression makes. Lightening up the flywheel takes away the inertia need that helps smooths this out.

The biggest thing I think a lightened flywheel does is make the gear changes faster & easier. Accelerating in traffic and quicker gear changes due to quicker spool down and spool up is nice for the 'impatient driver'. IMO it is tough to have your pretty cake and eat it too. Finding a happy medium where 10+/- pounds are removed may be a good compromise for you. It really will be a trial & error basis.

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Brent, I have seen so much ranting about flywheel lightening that your reasoned response is really refreshing. I've always kind of liked the throttle response of an engine with the stock flywheel. You have put my mind at ease.
 
Must be a good thing, I sure do sell a lot of them, all over the US and have even shipped one to Alaska. I do custom weights but the most requested is the 51 pound flywheel with the V8 pressure plate and new Model A clutch plate.
 
I just ordered a 27 pound wheel for an H&H counterweighted crank, insert banger. If you're not in a hurry I let you know what happens.
 
I like Brent's logic....from my experience 10 to 12 pounds works nice with a stock head.
I remove 18 lbs from flywheels that are used with counterweighted cranks.
Good Day!
Dave in MN
 
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