Projects OK..So anyone made their own flywheel

Beautiful, where can I get one. I have this idea of putting a 472 caddy in a 37 Chevy but it needs a 4 speed to make it right. Does anyone sell them ? I'm damn sure not going to attempt building my own.

 

Just to clarify, I have no interest in building a flywheel just to say I did it. Like the one posted above, this application needs some unique offsets to make it work, in both the crank location and the ring gear location.
From the information I have gathered, it doesn't seem like the actual grade of the steel is a factor, as far as the clutch surface. After all, a lot of the aluminum flywheels used a bronze insert. Thank you for all the replies and opinions.

 

I recently made one for my 324 olds. I bought a new flywheel from an off topic newer engine that was internally balanced. I pressed the ring gear off that flywheel, remachined the crank bore and bolt pattern. I then took my auto flexplate from my 324 and machined the ring gear off and fastened it to the new flywheel. Everything lines up. I haven't run it yet. It can be done if you do your research and have access to the proper equipment.

 

I don't have a dog in this fight but I don't possess the skills to attempt such a undertaking,I will leave that to the professionals.

I applaud the individuals that are capable of creating a one off piece that is readily available just for their satisfaction and to say they made it themselves.

Knowing that I made my living outside the automotive world I learned all my car building skills on my own,I am one who resorts to the salvage yards and automotive parts houses for my parts sources,,I can buy a flywheel,,thank God I don't have to make one or I would be up the proverbial creek.

Hot Rods are a hobby for me,not a lesson in futility! HRP

 

Flywheels are a mild steel for good reason. You don't want something brittle and prone to stress cracking over time. Take any steel flywheel in your collection, give it the file test, chances are high that the file will take a bite.

Something like 1045 with a yield strength of 77 ksi would be a good material. Chrome moly alloys like 4130 could also be used and these are more readily heat treated than milder steels. I would probably heat treat it and anneal it down to the desired hardness prior to the final blanchard grind.

If you have a good CNC lathe with enough swing and the ability to do all the secondary operations, any decent machinist should be able to make a quality flywheel.

Bob

 

I guess you belong to that "other" group.
The problem I find on this and other boards is we don't know another's skills or limits so some assume that the other person is just like you.
This works both ways,the reality is some are not savvy on the interweb so they must be unable to do anything
Or your able or willing to attempt anything within your limits witch may be very vast and have no time to post pictures to the world to prove how good you really are. Some people don't need a audience to do things they just do it.
We just don't know.
So the op may have a small shop at home but has access to stuff to build nucular subs at work, so if he feels he can do it ,right on.
Just put it in a scatter shield so it stays his.

 

Here's a "built at home shop" example, for an O/T application:

 

Purdy... nice machining job.

If you knew your way around a rotary table and had a mill with a DRO, it could be cranked out without using a lathe.

Bob

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it was probably pricy! HRP

 

Not so expensive on a hobby level... or if you take in contract work and have a shop rate that everyone can live with.

In reality you're probably looking at 2 lathe operations and 1 mill operation.

Bob

 

The difference is TR is experienced (as many of us know from his Hemi background) and knows his technical shit. He is working on an off the wall combo and as many of us that are doing that know you need to get creative. The axle guy came across as a greenhorn just trying to be cheap. Big difference there.

 

The teeth part is easy, you can buy just the toothed ring part(ring gear). It is a press fit. I learned this one a few years ago when our Carquest guy sent one over after the boss ordered the wrong part.

 

I have made some progress on this adventure today. Thanks again for all the input.

 

I think if you want to try it go for it, but take lots of pictures and post them here. There are enough people with knowledge here that would be able to help spot mistakes or oversights, and offer up advise(weather you want it or not) The hard part will be picking what advise is founded and what is just spued out.

I would think taking it and having someone balance it will be a great test of if it is good enough. If it balances without a lot of modifications you probably did a good job, if it comes back with half the material removed on one side you may suspect something didn't go right and then start over.

On top of all that if you can build a flywheel, constructing a external scattershield shouldn't be an issue.

 

The average guy is not trying to make his on flywheel, the average guy is try to have enough left over after paying his bills to have a few beers and get laid.

 

I'm VERY sure I wouldn't ride in a car with a homemade flywheel.


What if that flywheel was made by a company manufactures transmission adapters ?


TR Waters Early Hemi Parts
Early Hemi to SB Mopar Trans Adapters
www.trwaters.com

And some of the nicest pieces that you'll find anywhere !!


What if you had a chance to ride in a hemi powered car equipped with a B&M hydrostick ?
That's a goofy ass flywheel too.

 

why do you need a DRO? can't read the dials?......just sayin

 

Put a 215 Buick in an MG in my 20's. Wasn't crazy about the crank adapter, so I reverse-engineered the flywheel-adapter, and spun two correct flywheels out of steel. Milled the pressure plate and crank mount holes. Had the machine shop surface and balance them. Chilled the flywheels, heated the ring gears, and dropped them in place. Did also pin the ring gears. One has been in a car for 20+ yrs. The other is waiting for a project. I'm not saying I did it exactly right, but I had never done it before. Just talk to the right folks about material and processing. This is the place to talk, as is evident by several of the comments. Later.

 

I machined so many, I don't even want to look at one...

 

Its easier.

 

This guy makes me proud to be a home mechanic and pilot. Right on!!!


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Too easy to lose your place with just reading the dials, at least for me. The DRO picks up dead-table movement only, no farting around with backlash.

Bob

 

just "breakin your stones".... Im to cheap to by a DRO for mine Im forced to keep a calculator and a notebook at all times next to me ,at both the lathe and bridgeport

 

I just replaced my Trava-Dials with a DRO on my Bridgeport. Want to make an offer?

 

Mine came with a DRO, shop around places like Enco for specials, also Travers Tools, MSC. I saw one on evilBay that I want to get for my lathe and it was around $600.

Bob

 

Those are actually pretty good, it would be a nice upgrade over reading the dials.

Bob