I've just gone back to the darkside and purchased an 427FE powered Ford and now upgrading a few powertrain components for peace of mind. The car is still in the USA and will hopefully arrive downunder corresponding with my return home after Deuce Day. Anyway I'm swapping out the current cast iron bellhousing to an older period correct NHRA approved aluminum scatter shield (RC industries). Since I'm at it, I'll update the current clutch and flywheel as well to SFI rated, similar to crankshaft balancer. I might as well install ARP fasteners at the same time. Anyway I've now got a new 11" Hayes pressure plate, clutch disc and throwout bearing however I'd like to upgrade to an SFI flywheel and have been advised that a 460 Ford flywheel will also work as it has same bolt pattern, tooth count as well as being internally balanced. Hayes have 2 x listing with different numbers, FEs and 460s. Throwing it out there for those in the know as I propose to use the OEM Bendix starter or whatever is in car, any thoughts as I've come across a good used Hayes flywheel that I can throw in the car for shipping and save on additional freight.
Get a flywheel that uses the 65 and newer starter. I am not certain that a 460 and Fe have the same flywheels.
Thanks for that, this is the Bendix style RC Ind bellhousing that going to be installed. I've asked Hayes (Holley) for clarification and waiting to hear back. A quick search of FE forums indicates a 460 may work however I'm not commiting to anything yet until confirmed. Sent from my SM-G973F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The fe and 460 are interchangeable. Some are counterbalanced. You can tell by looking at the engine side. I did a 429 swap in a 67 Mustang years ago. I went to the Ford garage and bought a flywheel. It was counterbalanced. In retrospect, I believe it was a 428 flywheel. The machine shop cut of the counter weight and I was back on the road.
The 410 and 428 FEs are externally balanced. All other FEs are internally balances, that is they have a neutral balanced flywheel. All FE fly wheels will bolt on any FE, but won’t always be right. Bones
The Centerforce and McCleod info I have list different part numbers for FE and 429/460 steel flywheels, so I would check with Hayes to be sure about theirs.
Ain't that the truth! Back in the 70s I replaced a 360 in a Ford 1/2T with a 428. Just picked up the wrong FW. Started it. Pulled the trans, FW housing, Clutch and PP, changed FW. All smooth.
I recall my old 390 was neutral balance and that I had the balancer rebuilt as I couldn't time engine as it had spun slightly. Only at this time I became aware that 428s had the weight on the balancer as they were externally balanced. Other Hayes FE flywheels I've seen have a bolt on counterweight for external balance engines. I still haven't heard back from Holley on differences, hopefully they can outline any differences and if a 460 will fit then I cam commit. Too expensive to buy and send here and then find out it won't work. Sent from my SM-G973F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It looks like the difference might be the weight, 12-240 is 40lbs 12-241 is 31lbs. Any suggestions as to what would be best weight for my driver. Sent from my SM-G973F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The main problem with that early style bell is that it's going to limit your transmission choices and may not be compatible with what's in the car. That trans bolt pattern cuts off at '64, the '65-up versions won't bolt up. I'm not a fan of the early Bendix starters either; I've had more than a few starter drive failures, which is why Ford replaced them. Flywheel weight is a trade-off. More weight will store more energy, making taking off easier and smoother perceived operation, but will markedly slow throttle response. Put into a racing perspective, a road racer will like the lighter wheel for faster throttle response, the drag racer will like the heavier wheel for the stored energy at launch.
I've the earlier and narrow T10, hence the early and narrow RC Ind bell. My later 66 390FE had the later style starter. As the car is 64 I want to use the correct era parts so I posted photos of car in my albums. Car currently has earlier narrow pattern OEM Ford cast iron bellhousing which I'll keep when removed along with flywheel, clutch disc, throwout bearing and pressure plate. Sent from my SM-G973F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The standard 428/428CJ/SCJ balancer was neutral and was basically the same as 390s. The flywheel has the external weight. The 428 SCJ did use a special (hatchet) front crank spacer because of the heavier cap screw rods. My recently balanced CJ had to have the new balancer drilled with one small depression, just like most OE 390/428 parts, to complete the balance.
184 tooth is FE. It will also bolt to a 429/460, so those are added to the list. Since you have a 427, this won't concern you much, but the '69-'71 429 used a 176 tooth flywheel, and the 80's-90's trucks used a 180 tooth external balance that was also thicker, needing a longer bellhousing. The 184 tooth FE flywheel bolts up, and will fit in a 351M-400 bellhousing that shared the 429/460 pattern and used a 184 tooth flywheel. This is a junkyard solution to put a manual behind an internal balance 460. However, starter alignment issues are common.
Relic Stew is right on, the early 429 Tjet,Boss,and CJ&SCJ used a 176 tooth flywheel for use with the C9AA and D0AA bellhousings and there were no stick 460's until the mid 80's,the 184 tooth wheel is meant to be used with the D7TA,D9TA and E1TA 351M and 400 bellhousings when used on a 78 and earlier internal balanced460.While Crazy Steve is right that 65 and later bellhousings used the wide bolt pattern the earlier Toploaders had mounting ears that had both early and late bolt patterns drilled in them allowing them to bolt up to early narrow bolt pattern bellhousings.This continued up until sometime in the late 60's or early 70's,also the later flywheel will fit into the early bell housing and the late starter will also bolt right up provided you use the block spacer plate,but you need to check for pressure plate clearance with a 11 1/2" clutch,it is hit or miss with early factory bells since the early cars used an 11" clutch (including 427's) so you might need to double check with aftermarket stuff.
All sorted, new 4.56:1 gears. I had the flywheel / clutch assembly balanced and it works a treat. New block plate and longer dowel pins.
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