Flywheels

Ed Pitts

Ed Pitts

Well-known member
I am putting a '46 engine in my '36 and the flywheel that was in the car has a better clutch surface than the one that came out of the 46. Both use 10 inch clutch plates. Can the earlier flywheel be used in the later engines?
Thanks, Ed
 
The dividing line is 1948-1949, anything before 1948 will work- except that the 11" clutch may not fit in the confines of the earlier engines- a choice not many would make anyway- Karl
 
Thanks Karl. Any pros or cons with using the earlier one? You're right about the 11 incher. Just took a 39 big truck block with the big flywheel apart and it is a tight fit. Ed
 
Sounds like you have two of the same, off 59ab... Or something like a truck... In my narrow range of experience, 36 would have used a 9" on a flywheel with a large outside step flywheel (not a very good description, all I can think of the moment)... Lots of guys have sugested using this combination (9"), and cut off the large step on the outside of the flywheel... I tried this on one, found that the weight was about what the 59ab flywheel was, and just used that, cause I had a new 10" clutch... And I like the 10"... Karl
 
A problem that might arise is 'balance'. The 59ab flywheel might have have had weight removed to balance the rotating/reciprocating parts of the 59ab engine. If you put that on your 36 engine, it might vibrate badly. I think I would get the 36 flywheel re-faced.
 
Here are the two flywheels. The 37 flywheel is on the left and the 46 flywheel is on the right. Both weigh the same and will locate on the crankshaft so the ring gear is in the correct position. The 37 flywheel uses a different pressure plate than the 46 but both use a 10 inch clutch plate. Any ideas on why the change was made? Ed
 

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The one on the left is, in my opinion, a 49-53 Merc flywheel- the equal spaced pressure plate bolts... The other, Ford- the bolts are in 3 patterns of two... I would use the Ford, the clutch pressure plate is more common... Oh, yes, the ring gear is in a different position... These do not interchange... Karl
 
Thanks Karl. Man, I would have never guessed the one that was in the 37 engine was a later Merc. The starter never spun like it should, that must have been the reason. Will get the 46 surfaced. Thanks again for your help. Ed
 
The flywheel on the left is a 49 or later and will not work right on the earlier engine starter will hang up,surface the earlier flywheel and match the pressure plate to it.
John
 
Karl Wolf said:
The one on the left is, in my opinion, a 49-53 Merc flywheel- the equal spaced pressure plate bolts... The other, Ford- the bolts are in 3 patterns of two... I would use the Ford, the clutch pressure plate is more common... Oh, yes, the ring gear is in a different position... These do not interchange... Karl
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Yes, I would agree that this is a 49-53 Merc flywheel. I know because I just pulled one off of my 49 Merc. (Below in the picture)

I have a question though, can I use the early Ford flywheel on my Merc motor? Basically opposite of what the original question is. My ring gear was shot on mine so I obtained a Ford flywheel, however I noticed a different thickness in the flex plate itself. Does that matter?

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First one is 35 and I think 36 also . Anyway this is the big lip talked about . Note 3 pairs of 2 holes for the pressure plate . The second pic is 33 and 34 is the same . Note the 12 bolts around the lip for the pressure plate - like Model A's .
 

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The 8BA style 49-53 wheel will not work right on any 48 or older engine. the ring gear sets back about 1/4 to 3/8 in. further and the starter drive does not go back far enough to clear the gear. Any 35-48 wheel will work on any 48 and older engine. the 46=48 car was 10in. I like the the 35-41 dish wheel 9in. and chop off the the outside ridge. It makes for a lighter set up. The 11in. is way to heavy for any street car. After chopping lip off the 35-41 wheel, have the wheel and pressure plate balanced. The wheel are never off very much but the preasure plates are always out of balance. Walt
 
Ed, I just did the same trade with the flywheel. 36 flywheel to a 46 engine and it works just fine.

Dan
 
Its all about the starter & ring gear location. 48 & earlier (except 48 pickup) have the oil pan as the starter mount so it can't be swapped to the 8BA types and visa versa. The difference is small but enough so they just won't interchange.
 
Oops, thanks rotorwrench, I typed before I saw your post.

So... If I want to use my new diaphragm type pressure plate that has the early mounting pattern to bolt up I suppose I can have my machine shop put them in correct?
 
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