Ford 302 Flywheel, what to buy!

[Andy302]

Can anyone help me choose the right flywheel for my 1972 302?

The engine will have the Edelbrock rpm package but will be limited to 5500 to 6500rpm. So what should I buy cast or billet, steel or aluminium and how many teeth should it have, 157 or 164?!? Also is it 28 or 28.2oz imbalance?

Also what should I expect to pay, I see Summit do a billet steel 164 tooth fly which they say is for my engine at $239.95.

Any help greatfully received.

Cheers

[crendonman]

My Understanding is that you cannot use an Aluminium Bellhousing with a 164T Flywheel.

Therefore if using a 164T you would need to use a Lakewood Scattershield Bellhouse or similar, which IMHO look bl**dy awful and are quite big/bulky.

My recommendation would be a 157T Billet Flywheel, Alloy Bellhousing and 28oz Harmonic balancer, with external slave cylinder for clutch.

Reasons: Cheap - Looks good - Reliable (Bomb Proof)

Just my view - I am sure others will wade right in! :thumb:

[Andy302]

So is it a case of buy the starter to match the flywheel? Hence resolving the teeth number question?

I like your style by the way, Cheap, looksgood and reliable (sort of) bomb proof!

Cheers

[crendonman]

Andy,

Get one of the little Ford SVO High Torque Starter Motors around $80 from Sumitt.

I had problems with my old stock Cleveland starter motor (as everyone who went to Le Mans Classic will vouch for) They all have hernias now

Fitted the new one and it spins like a top now (the old one was just tired - bit like me!) :thumb:

[Andy302]

Cheers, sadly no longer $80, now $159.95!! Never mind!

Cheers

[crendonman]

Originally Posted by Andy Roe

Cheers, sadly no longer $80, now $159.95!! Never mind!

Cheers

Sorry Andy,

Matbe I meant £80 !! Anyway, it'll work just fine and will also work whether you have 157T or 164T it makes no difference !!

[ldtopham]

Crendon man is spot on with his comments. I have a 351 Cleveland and have both a 164 flywheel and Lakewood bellhousing (heavy, big and and on the whole a bit 'numb'). I have now fitted a 157tooth fwheel billet steel and an alu bellhousing ( much lighter increased ground clearance and the teeth have the same pitch as the 164 so I can use my original high tq starter). If you have a stock starter make sure it is for a manual, the auto starter has a thinner mounting flange meaning the starter gear will over engage on cranking. You could just machine an 8mm spacer to remedy as I did. As far as I am aware all the early small block Fords have the same 6 bolt bellhousing pattern and a 28oz balance. The 351M (some call a small block) has the big block bolt pattern and will not fit.

[grahamf]

Hi all.
I'm a new 'customer' and rebuilding a 351m engine into a 400. I have an ally bellhousing and I'm looking for a manual flywheel to suit. What's the diameter / number of teeth for this please. Can anyone out there help please?
Ta
Graham

[TINKA]

Hi Andy, sorry to disagree with Dave but I HAVE GOT A 157 tooth fly wheel and an aluminium bell housing and the starter motor does not engage the flywheel as It should have the 164 tooth fly wheel which is roughly 20mm bigger in diameter. As for the imbalance that is determined by the harmonic balancer you have mine is 50 oz so that is the fly wheel I needed. Billet steel is a better flywheel but as for the size go for the one that the bell housing is meant for. BTW I know someone who has a 157 billet steel flywheel for sale if you are interested not sure of the balance or out of balance it is.

[Andy302]

Originally Posted by TINKA

Hi Andy, sorry to disagree with Dave but I HAVE GOT A 157 tooth fly wheel and an aluminium bell housing and the starter motor does not engage the flywheel as It should have the 164 tooth fly wheel which is roughly 20mm bigger in diameter. As for the imbalance that is determined by the harmonic balancer you have mine is 50 oz so that is the fly wheel I needed. Billet steel is a better flywheel but as for the size go for the one that the bell housing is meant for. BTW I know someone who has a 157 billet steel flywheel for sale if you are interested not sure of the balance or out of balance it is.

Get you with your disagreement 2 months after the post was started and 1 month after Ive purchased a brand new 157 tooth flywheel!! :angry:

NO, Im only joking, always open to information however much grief it might cause me. I guess Ill have to suck it and see when it comes to fitting the flywheel, unfortunately that will be a few years away yet so look out in a couple of years time as I might be selling a flywheel!

Cheers