Flywheel teeth

[geordie]

I have a few teeth on one location on my flywheel which are worn. Looks like the PO tried to start the car when it was already running. I would like to fix this and I saw in MAC's Antique Parts catalogue that you can buy new gear rings fairly cheaply which you can have shrunk onto the flywheel. Is this the way to go? How do I tell if my flywheel will accept a new gear ring? Any other tips or advice would be appreciated.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

might be easier and less hassle to buy a new one, they are not that expensive, only problem i could see is if your engine is balanced with the flywheel, then you have to match balance your new flywheel to the old one..thats the problem i ran into, so i ended up keeping the old one

 

[geordie]

Is there a way to tell (balance holes etc.) if my engine was balanced with the flywheel.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

the delema i went through, there were no visible marks on the flywheel to see if he had grinded it ect. to take off weight and add weigh, so my last resort was to contact the man who built the motor and find out if he had balanced the engine with the flywheel on it, which he had...so thats how i knew, other than that i couldnt tell if it was balacned internally or externally...sorry i cant be of more assistance, im sure somebody will chime in and correct me

 

[D.Hearne]

Many auto machine shops used to perform this operation, but I don't think there's many left who still do. Better check before buying a new ring gear. They're not just shrunk onto the flywheel, it's also spot welded.

 

[Vince]

I just had my ring gear flipped around a while back. I couldn't find a new ring gear or flywheel (Mustang II specific...tough to find now), so my mechanic/machinist removed the old ring gear and reinstalled it the other way. It was just press-fit on, not welded. Flexplate ring gears may be welded though.