Fly wheel trouble

[silver66pony]

I have a 69 coupe when i got it. It had a 351 w crate moter the casting # on the block say its a 1984 block will the fly wheel work on that block or do i need to get one for a 1984 Eng and what about the starter when we put the starter in it rubs the fly wheel need a little help on this one

 

[D.Hearne]

Sounds like you've got a 164 tooth flywheel in a 157 tooth bellhousing. All 351's used the same imbalance factor (28 oz/in)

 

[padi7777]

Suggestion...as this happened to me...
I have a 351W crate engine...and I had my starter crap the bed. I went to replace it and tried like 5 starters...only to find every starter would engage the flywheel perfectly about 10 out of 11 times. On time 11, it would not engage the teeth and would sheer metal off. Now not sure if yours is just hitting all the time or if you have a similiar issue as I did. For me, I had to call the shop who installed my original starter and get the part number #3180 from Advance. It has a longer shaft. The shaft for the 80's to early 90s is a shorter input shaft. If yours is rubbing all the time, it may help to get the one with the shorter shaft. D.Hearne has a point as well....some used a 157 flywheel and some used the other one....but there are at least two different starters that are sold for the 157 if you have it...hope this helps!!

 

[padi7777]

And as I think about it....sometimes you have to space the starter too....depending on what year your 351 is......but the flywheel is important with regard to engaging the starter. I know some guys who have this issue with Broncos.

 

[silver66pony]

If the 157 tooth flywheel uses a different bell housing, what is different about it? I have a top loader 4 speed but I think the flywheel is too close to the block because it is rubbing the spacer plate.
When I installed the starter the lip on the starter that goes through the spacer plate hole rubs the flywheel.
What is the difference between the 157 tooth and the 164 tooth flywheel besides the tooth count?

 

[D.Hearne]

The 164 tooth wheel is about an inch in diameter larger than the 157 tooth wheel. You might also have the wrong starter for the application. The block spacer plate's function is to index the starter to the flywheel/Flexplate.