Flywheel Balance Problems. Please help!!!

[z28kla]

Hi, I am new to the forums and would just like to say Hi to all and also ask my first question. I recently installed A billet flywheel and when I started the motor it shook really bad. It was a 50 oz. imbalance flywheel and it was brand new so I didnt even think about balancing it. I called A few machine shops and all they are telling me is that I have to balance the entire engine with the new flywheel. How can that be???? I know they sell these things like mad and I cant imagine that everyone that buys one is having their engine balanced. Has anyone ran into this problem? Do any aftermarket flywheel manufacturers make a TRUE "BOLT IN" flywheel. Any help in this situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanx!!!

 

[Mysterio]

You have to align the engine, clutch & flywheel all correctly or everything shakes really badly. When you took the clutch apart you should have marked what was down so you could lign everything up. The flywheel I bought from summit (Just a stock replacement) was marked to where the bottom was.

Also did you use the pins? They are for removing vibration.. Don't know how vital they are with a billet flywheel but they make a HUGE difference with the stock one.. Buddy of mine didnt use them when putting his on and it vibrates like no other at 3000+ RPM.

 

[Rick 91GT]

I wouldn't worry much about aligning the clutch/pressure plate but the flywheel has to match the mark on the crank...


or it will vibrate just like your stating. The aftermarket flywheel should be a drop in replacement unless it is way out of balance. Never had an issue with a Fidanze or SPEC. Are you sure you installed the correct weight?

 

[z28kla]

Clutch Alignment???

The flywheel was deffinitley a 50oz. imb. It is made by CAT. One of the crank bolts is offset so the flywheel can only be installed one way. The clutch is a ford motorsport, king cobra and it was brand new too. it has a green dot on it...I imagine that is to line it up but what does it line up with???? I have pulled the flywheel out and installed A reman stock unit and the vibration is gone at idle, but is there from 3000-3500RPM. It's not nearly as bad as the billet flywheel, but not near what it was like stock. I did use the clutch centering pins. Maybe the clutch alignment theory is somthing I need to look into. ANY INFO????? Oh yeah the engine ran smooth as glass before any of this....

 

[Numbles]

Having a similar issue that I still need to fix. Subscribing.

 

[Rick 91GT]

That may be your issue, CAT is not known to have the best products out, it may be out of balance. You can have it checked at your local machine shop or, personally I'd return it and get a good flywheel like a Fidanza.

Most machine shops do not require clutches for balancing, most feel that it is "in the noise" and really has little to no effect, unless you are building a 8500rpm race engine.