• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Should I resurface my flywheel if it's only a few years old?

  • Thread starter Thread starter yellowstang1994
  • Start date Start date Feb 24, 2009

yellowstang1994

New Member
Sep 9, 2004
338
0
0
Feb 24, 2009
#1
  • Feb 24, 2009
  • #1
I had a bad experience a few years ago installing a Spec Stage 2 with a resurfaced flywheel and ended up taking it apart and putting a brand new ford flywheel in.

Here I am again about to install a Centerforce DF clutch kit and I'm having second thoughts about resurfacing the flywheel again. Yet I don't know if I want to buy a brand new one since the one in there is around 2 years old. Would you guys just leave it the way it is if it looks to be okay?
 

MAC'n89Blckstng

Active Member
Jun 11, 2003
1,012
4
36
40
NJ
Feb 24, 2009
#2
  • Feb 24, 2009
  • #2
you always should resurface a flywheel with a new clutch. What was your bad experience with the spec stage 2?
 

yellowstang1994

New Member
Sep 9, 2004
338
0
0
Feb 24, 2009
#3
  • Feb 24, 2009
  • #3
During the break-in period I started noticing really bad vibrations. I realized something wasn't right when they didn't clear up. Took everything back apart and found a small chip on the edge of the clutch. I think it was hidden under the protective coating and this left a large scorched mark all around the surfaced part of the pressure plate. I never understood how the chip got there because it pretty much went from the box to on my car, unless it was a defect from the factory. Needless to say I took a loss and SPEC wouldn't replace it because I wasn't using one of their fancy flywheels.

Not sure if the flywheel had anything to do with it either, but I don't want to take my chances. All I could afford after the 1st incident was a Ford HD kit, and now that i'm putting in a Centerforce a few years later I don't want to go down that same road again. Sorry if it sounds kind of stupid, but I read some stuff somewhere about the patterns left on flywheels after they're resurfaced and how they could possibly "eat" up a new clutch. Maybe I got some bad info, but it's always kind of scared me.
 

95BlueStallion

My assy trans to myself
15 Year Member
Feb 22, 2007
5,126
3,091
214
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
www.goodreads.com
Feb 24, 2009
#4
  • Feb 24, 2009
  • #4
I vote for resurfacing the flywheel. I cleaned my clutch disk and flywheel with brake cleaner as I did the install to make sure I kept all grease and debris off them.
 

Zero Signal

Active Member
Feb 24, 2003
2,633
2
46
Tucson, AZ
Feb 27, 2009
#5
  • Feb 27, 2009
  • #5
Definitely re-surface it. Mostly for the same reason you re-surface brake rotors/drum when you change the pads/shoes. Yes it wears the clutch pads quickly at first, but those surfaces must be mated properly if you want good engagement over the long term. There's always a chance of burning spots of the flywheel whether you re-surface or not. Just inspect the flywheel very closely and make sure everything is ultra clean before installing it. The rest is left up to chance and you breaking it in properly.
 
T

topless95

New Member
Feb 4, 2008
27
0
0
North Florida
Feb 28, 2009
#6
  • Feb 28, 2009
  • #6
MAC'n89Blckstng said:
you always should resurface a flywheel with a new clutch. What was your bad experience with the spec stage 2?
Click to expand...

+1

Resurfacing ensures that you have a flat clean surface to prevent good engagement and long life
 
W

wytstang

Mustang Master
Mar 14, 2004
4,988
4
78
Summerville,SC missing South Fl. weather :(
Feb 28, 2009
#7
  • Feb 28, 2009
  • #7
I'm with everyone else, I did it and all worked out fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Alternator not charging
  • SchwarzStock
  • Jul 6, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
91
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 19, 2026
SchwarzStock
B
Where to go from here on my build…
  • B0udreaux
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
211
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 18, 2026
AeroCoupe
NEED SOME SPEC CLUTCH DIMENSIONS
  • PonyGTrider
  • Jun 2, 2024
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
370
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 2, 2024
PonyGTrider
5
Hello Everyone !
  • 5150K
  • Jul 3, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
0
Views
91
The Welcome Wagon Jul 3, 2026
5150K
5
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
277
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?