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Technical Chrysler 6 flywheel on early hemi’s

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Andy, Jun 15, 2025.

  1. Andy
    Joined: Nov 17, 2002
    Posts: 5,335

    Andy
    Member

    Maybe this is well known but maybe not. The flat head Chrysler six flywheels fit the early hemi’s. They only have holes for 6 studs but they are in the right orientation to fit. They are much lighter than the Hemi flywheels. They run about 20 lbs vs Hemi ones at 30 and up. I cut a Hemi flywheel down to 20 lbs and later saw a 6 flywheel and found that it fit and was the same weight as my modified wheel.
     
    Packrat and 4274SPEED like this.
  2. Same diameter ?
    Wonder if it would balance only using 6 bolts
    Starter tooth count the same ?
     
  3. Andy
    Joined: Nov 17, 2002
    Posts: 5,335

    Andy
    Member

    The pattern is symmetrical. The ring gear is the same. The offset hole is the same. It was balanced on the flathead. I put it on my 241 and it fit perfectly. I really saw no differences between the 6 and the cut hemi.
     
  4. caprockfabshop
    Joined: Dec 5, 2019
    Posts: 685

    caprockfabshop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    So the primary difference between 6 and V8 appears to be thickness then? That would make sense, the V8 has more torque, and the cars weighed more, so the thicker flywheel handles the heat buildup better than the thinner 6. Obviously, putting a Hemi in a light hot rod means that thick flywheel isn't necessarily needed anymore, but a lighter flywheel on a 331/354/392 is kinda irrelevant, since all your torque is down low, and the need for a fast-revving engine isn't as critical.
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  5. 1biggun
    Joined: Nov 13, 2019
    Posts: 819

    1biggun

    What is the ring gear tooth count.

    As I understand it there are two sizes on the early hemi .
     
  6. Andy
    Joined: Nov 17, 2002
    Posts: 5,335

    Andy
    Member

    You are right. I have one with the late Hemi ring gear. If you find one with the early gear, you would need to change it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2025
  7. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,640

    dwollam
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    4, 6, & 8 bolt Chrysler flywheels are all the same pattern. One could also drill the additional holes for higher horsepower engines.

    Dave
     
    oldengine and Terry Bjalme like this.
  8. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,894

    George
    Member

    The basic consolidated info should be posted on the "Hemi Tech Index".
     
  9. Years back I did a step by step on installing all 340-360 parts. Same as I have in this bolt together unit. Very Few ever use the search menu here, so I gave up making any postings. Maybe a few comments trying to just give a little help instead of spending hours (for me) doing how to posts. It's like the Never Ending "my Brakes don't work" posts that show up continually.
    20171008_080605.jpg
     

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