Flywheel Machining?

[66ford289]

I am still in progress on converting to the T-5 Transmission. I have already bought a diaphram style clutch kit and would like to stick to it. I have a 5.0 flywheel and I know that Ford Muscle Magazine tells you that a 5.0 flywheel can be machined to 280z for a reasonable price. I called one machine shop and he told me he could balence the 5.0 flywheel to 28oz if I brought in the old 28oz to match the 5.0 flywheel to. Then I called another machine shop for a second opinion and he told me that to balence a flywheel you need the complete rotating assembly......crank, rods, bearings, pistons..............the works. He then procedded to tell me it was better to just get a new flywheel steup for 28oz but diamphram style plate. Can anyone confirm either one of their explanations, or give me options?

 

[66Runt]

IMO they are both correct

Fortunately the first guy is smart enough to realize that he needs to perfectly match the balance weight and position of your new 5.0 flywheel to your old flywheel (that should have been balanced with the whole rotating assembly).

If he has the equipment to duplicate this, then it should work just fine.

Hey wait a minute, ...are you an ASE test question writer?

Scott

 

[66ford289]

Well maybe i'll give the first guy another call to verify if he's confident (and willing to gaurantee his work....like he really will) but just look for some assurance. and i answer your question with a question, should I take that as a compliment?

 

[66Runt]

Absolutely!

All you were missing was "Machinest A says..., and Machinest B says... Who is correct".

1). A is right
2). B is right
3). Both are right
4). Neither is right



Yeah, what he should tell you is something to the effect that the flywheel only mounts one way, and he needs to insure the balance weight and position is correct, because the flywheel should have been balanced with the engine assembly.
Of course if he's old school, he's gonna tell you to shut up and bring the Da**** flywheels in. Then let out a big belch and hang up. those are usually the best machinests.

Scott

 

[tos]

Although I am not an automotive machinist I am However a machinist and have been around cars for awhile now I think I can give a little help here. Both are right depending on what you want out of you rotating assembly. The first guy can definately make it match your old flywheel but you wont have a balanced rotating assembly (at least not perfectly balanced). He could probably just remove the differance in weigh from the heavy side of the 5.0 flywheel (50oz - 28oz =22ozof stock removal) They do this by just drilling holes to remove the needed weight. Personally i would go with the second guy. He will be balancing your whole assembly and then you will have a balanced motor for probably not much more money. You will need to also take him your harmonic balancer. You shouldnt need your bearings (but take em just incase) cause they are all the same and evenly positioned on your crank (they wont make a difference in balance). But your rods, crank, flywheel, pistons are all only closely balanced and will need to be weighed (rods and pistons) or rotationally balanced (crank, flywheel, harm balancer0. There is a little more to it but thats it in a nutshell. Now if you dont care about a balanced motor I would go with his advice on an original 28oz flywheel (easier and cheaper). I Hope this helps.

 

[tweet66]

Does the same apply if going from a C4 to a T5? How does the machinest rebalance a flywheel based on a flexplate's counter balance? My rotating assembly was already balanced years ago with a flexplate and now I'm trying the same conversion. I dont' want to rip my engine apart and rebalance it just to go to a T5