Lightened Flywheel

A

AlfinCT

Member
Four questions please:

1) An older post states if you lighten your flywheel it will hurt in fine Point Judging. Since the flywheel is totally enclosed how could judges tell the flywheel has been lightened?

2) I've not been able to find a drawing that instructs where and how much to take of a standard flywheel. Is there one available?

3) Who in the VA area or surrounding area is a good machine shop or Model A rebuilder to lighten flywheels?

4) Another older post suggests it's easier and faster to convert a Chevy flywheel than to lighten the Model A flywheel. Can anyone provide who to contact about this option?

Thanks
 
1) mums the word
2) someone posted how/pictures here a few days ago
3) buy from one of the A suppliers, see sticky above for rebuilders
4) maybe try the HAMB
I hope this helps
 
I am probably the one on converting an aluminum Chev flywheel.
This is definitely not for a judged car because it requires a gear drive starter and 12 volt conversion.
Basically it involves plugging 2 holes in the flywheel and redrilling it to fit the A/B crank.
 
!) I don't know except maybe it's visible through the inspection hole. Good Question
2) The dwg is available, I printed a copy of it when I did mine.
3) Sorry, I don't know Va. Machine shops. You'll need to ask them if they have a lathe that will handle the size and weight (63lbs)
4) I don't know if its easier or cheaper. Furthermore, I only lighten mine about 10 lbs but its all on the outer diameter. It helps the engine to spool up faster, plus it's 10/12 lbs off the rear bearing. And it still preserves the model A engine sound. I turn my own but we have no means to balance it afterward and I believe in balancing flywheels. ( Cost about $60) I think I've read of people cutting them down to 25 lbs or lighter (IIRC) But this is too much for the A engine (My opinion) It changes the characteristics. Many people in here don't believe that they should be cut at all. With modern roads, modern gas, etc, I believe the mod. A engine can and should be updated somewhat.
Terry

AlfinCT said:
Four questions please:
1) An older post states if you lighten your flywheel it will hurt in fine Point Judging. Since the flywheel is totally enclosed how could judges tell the flywheel has been lightened?
2) I've not been able to find a drawing that instructs where and how much to take of a standard flywheel. Is there one available?

3) Who in the VA area or surrounding area is a good machine shop or Model A rebuilder to lighten flywheels?

4) Another older post suggests it's easier and faster to convert a Chevy flywheel than to lighten the Model A flywheel. Can anyone provide who to contact about this option?

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
James Rogers is just out of Asheville, NC and can fix you up.
He is on here, shoot him a PM.
IF you dont hear from him soon, I have his number. Good Luck!
 
The reason for the very heavy flywheel is to dampen the vibration from the crank. If you lighten the flywheel or use a lighter flywheel you should also add counter weights to your crank and re-balance the whole assembly. I was told that you should only remove about 12 lbs. from the flywheel however I took off about 30 lbs. from mine and it works great.
 
I shaved about 10-15 lbs. off of mine because I added a Burlington crank. So the who mass is about the same original weight. I just wanted to take some pressure off of the rear main. Works great, and yes it spools up much faster.

Mike
 
Posts 8,9 and 10, I understand how a lightened flywheel will allow the engine to gain revs more quickly but not dampen out the firing impulses so much as a heavy one. I'm also aware that you have to wait longer for the engine to slow down when you change up and how it is easier to time a double de-clutch on the way down. I guess it is a balance between the two and the tipping point will vary from one person to the next.
Some of the European makes, used to have a brake on the clutch to help match the speeds of the motor and gears for more rapid changes. The last inch or so of the pedal movement engaged the brake.
 
Mechanics Handbook vol II has the drawing and talks about it on page 1-22 and 1-23 . I took mine to a Transmission shop and they did the work. works great


Skip
 
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Tom Wesenberg said:
A couple guys recently posted that they wish they had their stock flywheel weight back.
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I have previously posted that I do not like my lightened flywheel. Please understand that almost everyone who has a lightened flywheel disagrees with me--I am in a very small minority on this.

I am much more likely to choke the engine when starting off from a stop with the lightened flywheel.

The lightened flywheel changes the rhythm or pattern for double-clutching.

I am not interested in quick acceleration, and that is the only driving advantage I have heard of--and I can't detect that advantage. (I am not qualified to comment on the claims that the lighted flywheel may extend the life of the rear main.)

Now understand that I drive like an old man. So I just can't find any advantage, and I find the disadvantages I mentioned.

(I also drive a Mercedes 260 E, and NOTHING could be slower off the line than that little car. So I don't expect much when I mash the gas pedal!)

This is my opinion/experience only, and, as I said, many people think I am wrong about this.

W. Michael
 
I have these in my files from Secrets of Speed,
 

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There's no "Right or wrong" here, It's a matter of preference. Presumably, you live in a rural area with little traffic. However, I live in a pretty built up area with occasional heavy traffic and it's very hilly. I need a engine that is a little more responsive. You don't say how much it was lightened, but I haven't noticed any changes in the shifting. Mine are lightened about ten lbs. Well I wish you luck with it.
Terry


w.michael said:
I have previously posted that I do not like my lightened flywheel. Please understand that almost everyone who has a lightened flywheel disagrees with me--I am in a very small minority on this.

I am much more likely to choke the engine when starting off from a stop with the lightened flywheel.

The lightened flywheel changes the rhythm or pattern for double-clutching.

I am not interested in quick acceleration, and that is the only driving advantage I have heard of--and I can't detect that advantage. (I am not qualified to comment on the claims that the lighted flywheel may extend the life of the rear main.)

Now understand that I drive like an old man. So I just can't find any advantage, and I find the disadvantages I mentioned.

(I also drive a Mercedes 260 E, and NOTHING could be slower off the line than that little car. So I don't expect much when I mash the gas pedal!)

This is my opinion/experience only, and, as I said, many people think I am wrong about this.

W. Michael
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We have the H & H touring engine with the counter weighted crank and lightened flywheel. That engine vibrates so much that I cannot see out of my vibrating rear view mirrors and worse. The first opportunity that I get, I will put the stock flywheel back into it. On our Tudor, I installed the model B motor having the counter weighted crankshaft. I used the heavier model A flywheel in the B motor too, and the engine runs as smooth as silk and I love it that way. Both engines have good hill climbing ability. The lightened flywheel in the model A has quicker throttle response than the B motor, but not any more power than the B motor. I will take a smoother running motor over a vibrating motor any day. Around town for short trips, engine vibration probably would not be an issue, but we drive our model A Fords on long car tours and we really enjoy a smoother running car.
 
I wouldn't build a Motor for myself, with out a lightened Flywheel.

You just can't blame a lightened Flywheel for bad workmanship, and I think that is what you have with out saying anything else.

The biggest thing in balancing is finding a place that knows how to balance, and has a balance machine that isn't all wore out.

Believe me when I say just because somebody says I balanced your engine for you, does NOT mean it is balanced even close, unless they are a proven shop.

You don't have to have to have a counter balanced crank to run a lightened flywheel.

The No. 1 advantage of a lightened flywheel is, giving the center main some relief by taking some of the bow out of the center of the crank, thus being easier on the Babbitt, and oil sheer.

Herm.
 
Well, after I bought my restored A with a freshly re-built motor, about 9 years ago, I also had the flywheel lightened considerably, along with having a V-8 clutch & pressure plate, and Snyder 5.5 head. I did not have counterbalances done. The result: a great running Model A , that drives very smoothly, with no undue vibration at any speed, and it pulls very easily from a stop. Before having it done, someone told me I would regret it....that sure has not been the case in my experience.
 
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