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Hot Rods Flathead aluminum flywheel—DONT’S

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Flatheadjohn47, Sep 13, 2019.

  1. DA8CC9E6-D3C2-4DC8-B2A0-AFF43A5270C1.jpeg 5C7C5758-2C17-474E-9381-890574DD580F.jpeg C3549CFD-3674-4527-B804-11853D862AD8.jpeg I used this nice looking aluminum flywheel on my 49-53 engine. Notice it is ALL aluminum with NO brass or steel insert where the disc would ride. This wear (.040-.060) occurred after 6 weeks daily driving. I bought it cheap and it was reduced to junk quickly. DO NOT attempt to run an aluminum flywheel unless it has a brass/bronze/or steel insert!
     
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  2. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,053

    Beanscoot
    Member

    I suppose it could be machined now for an insert?
     
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  3. Thanks for that info and picture.
     
  4. Truck64
    Joined: Oct 18, 2015
    Posts: 5,325

    Truck64
    Member
    from Ioway

    What good is it, if it can't be used as-is? I admit to not being aluminium flywheel knowledgeable.
     

  5. Doublepumper
    Joined: Jun 26, 2016
    Posts: 1,534

    Doublepumper
    Member
    from WA-OR, USA

    Who thought this was a good idea? I can't understand why an aluminum flywheel would not have a steel insert to begin with. I mean....really?o_O
     
    WiredSpider likes this.
  6. flathead_10
    Joined: Jul 2, 2011
    Posts: 144

    flathead_10
    Member
    from Kansas

    Other than the excessive wear, did you like having an aluminum flywheel on the streets?

    Sent from my XT1710-02 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  7. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,405

    alchemy
    Member

    Racing only. Not for street use without an insert.
     
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  8. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,504

    continentaljohn
    Member

    Did you use a organic clutch?
     
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  9. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    I have one of those floating around the garage:oops: NOS for a SBC. That's what I was thinking about getting an insert attached to it. Dang, now I have to go through boxes.
     
  10. Flatrod17
    Joined: Apr 25, 2017
    Posts: 457

    Flatrod17
    Member

    I have one just like it. I planned on putting a insert in or sending it to McLeod clutches and have them do it. I believe they will sell the insert for the do it yourself guys
     
  11. The lack of an insert is for the roundy-round boys who don't use a clutch, just an in-and-out box. Sprints and midgets...

    They're really not practical on the street unless your motor is a torque monster, and even then they can be hard to live with.
     
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  12. Yes,,,,,that cannot be used without an insert,,or it will destroy itself.

    Don’t feel too bad though,,,it is not something that everyone knows about.
    It can still be salvaged,,so don’t toss it out.

    Tommy
     
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  13. flatjack
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 975

    flatjack
    Member

    I have one with an insert. Been in over 25 years now. If I had to do it again, I would not use an aluminum flywheel on the street.
     
  14. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,504

    continentaljohn
    Member

    Interesting why not and what are you running it in? I have one in my 1932 roadster and its great . A light weight vehicle with low torque benefits from a light flywheel. I do have a insert but did install a organic clutch a few years ago. It needs another one as they dont last as the others do. I ran one on a 65 mustang in the 1980s with a 289k motor and made a difference big time...

     
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  15. flatjack
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 975

    flatjack
    Member

    It's in my 39 with a built 276 flathead. At low speeds I get some jerking due to the light flywheel. Not terrible, but a little annoying. I do have a hotter cam, which aggravates the problem.
     
  16. A “light” flywheel is beneficial in a light car(2800 lbs and lighter). A “heavy” flywheel works well at the drags because the heavy mass at 3000 plus rpm tends to overcome the clutch launch and makes it harder for the engine to “bog”. All of my Fords were fairly light street cars. I sometimes race my 32 cabriolet at the drags(2200 lbs—no fenders,hood,or side glass). Granted, I could probably run quicker with the stock, heavy flywheel(at the drags) but I run a light flywheel because I enjoy quicker throttle response and my 32 cab has run 80 mph in the 1/8 mile using a 3:89 Detroit locker(9 inch) and 2-3 gears only in a gm 5 speed. 2C987481-0711-4D5D-BAAB-1B5D66BE9ED9.jpeg 20771C0C-D6DD-4A55-9573-D760C399AA93.jpeg
     
  17. most of mine have the insert......
     
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  18. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,504

    continentaljohn
    Member

    A old thread and picked up a old NOS Weber that was installed but never used. So I wondering about installing a steel or bronze insert and how is it done? Or just a cool wall hanger image.jpg image.jpg
     
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  19. It can be used and will work fine,,,,,but not like it is .
    Go back and read post #11,,,,,its for an application not using a disc .
    However,,,it can be machined and a bronze insert added to it .
    I’m not certain it will be cost effective,,,,it might be a little costly after buying the insert and having it machined for it .
    Good luck .

    Tommy
     
  20. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,504

    continentaljohn
    Member

    @Desoto291Hemi I have a machine shop with all the goodies lathe, Bridgeport and a rotary table in the garage. So I was hoping I could do the machine work but not sure how the insert is installed . I looked at my other alum flywheel and see no fasteners ?? JB weld:D
     
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  21. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,025

    19Fordy
    Member

    Please explain why the insert is required on an aluminum flywheel.
    What does it do?
     
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  22. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,405

    alchemy
    Member

    Keeps the disc from chewing up the aluminum.
     
  23. Rand Man
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 4,860

    Rand Man
    Member

    The steel insert is the wear surface. The aluminum will just melt away without it.
     
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  24. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,025

    19Fordy
    Member

    THANK YOU both for your knowledge.
     
  25. Continental John,
    If you have the equipment,,,you can certainly do it ,,,,,and you will only be out you time and the insert cost .
    They are held in place by flathead screws,,,,at least the old ones I saw were .
    Where ever you get your insert,,,,that is the type of retention screw I would use .
    A good machinist can handle this easy .
    You sound like you are the man,,,,I’m certain you can do it .

    Tommy
     
  26. I got to thinking and remembered that I had a brand new one downstairs so I decided to take a few pics of it .
    Mine is a Ram brand flywheel,,,,and it has a steel insert with what looks to be bronze rivets .
    You know,,,come to think of it,,,,those rivets look just like the ones on my Ram metallic clutch disc pucks . They hold the metallic pucks to the clutch body .

    If I remember correctly,,it weighs 16 pounds,,,,or 15,,,,not sure right now .
    Here are the pics .
    EAAF3C61-9D4B-4678-8246-D3A9DF59AE99.jpeg 20E37CCD-2048-4C20-9336-A038C1D0F1DF.jpeg C44E9965-B7EA-461D-857F-FDDAF2BFA8DE.jpeg 481DA875-F954-4B75-AF78-19136F8AB5BD.jpeg

    That last image is my sons 440 short block,,,,it should be a nice little street engine .

    Tommy
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2021
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  27. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,504

    continentaljohn
    Member

    @Desoto291Hemi thank you for the info and pictures so now just have to get a insert or make one. The other aluminum flywheels I have are all bonded no rivets or screws..
    I have a 6-12 surface grinder but don’t think I will be grinding it because of size. I have ground aluminum before and we filled or loaded the grinding wheel with wax. So aluminum wouldn’t load up the grinding wheel and works great..
    That motor your building sounds wicked is that going in a 32.
     
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  28. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
    Member

    Having a lathe or a mill with a rotary table you could certainly add an insert to your flywheel if you have enough material thickness in the friction area. The ones I have are riveted with what look like bronze rivets too. I haven’t had the opportunity to try running one yet.
    I think they used the all aluminum ones in boats too although the ones I’ve seen weren’t drilled for the pressure plate.
     
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  29. ekimneirbo
    Joined: Apr 29, 2017
    Posts: 4,216

    ekimneirbo

    If you are going to do it at home, the machining will be pretty easy with that rotary table. I would use rivits to hold it in place as they can always be drilled out later for replacement. I'd practice driving a few rivits before you do the ones on the flywheel.
     
    continentaljohn likes this.
  30. flatjack
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 975

    flatjack
    Member

    See post 13 and 15. Not a good fit for the street.
     

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