34 Flywheel and clutch

[My 34 Ford]

Are all flywheels created equal? I know that 32-34 use a flywheel like the Model A's but will flywheels from other years fit on my 34 21 stud engine? I have an 11 inch flywheel and have been following the comments on the barn about drilling it to fit a regular 9 inch car pp and disk and wonder if this is an option for me. I have no idea what year this flywheel is but must assume its out of a later truck. Is there any advantage over a 35 or later flat style flywheel and clutch over the original 34 style clutch and flywheel with the recessed face. Sorry for all these questions but I am trying to find out what year and style flywheel I should be looking for to put in my 34 21 stud rebuild project. Thanks

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

You can use any wheel from 48 or older. Do not use the 49up 8BA wheel, the starter won't mess right with the ring gear. if I were you and had the 34 wheel, I'd have the PP flange removed flush with the clutch surface and have it redrilled for the 35-41 9in. pressure plate. The 35-41 PP works alot smoother that the 34 and older one. You can have the 48 and older 10-11 inch wheel redrilled for 9in. PP. After haveing a wheel redrilled, balance the wneel by itself and then bolt the PP to the wheel and balance again by drilling the PP, then mark the PP and wheel so they will be assemable in the right place. Walt

[My 34 Ford]

Thanks Walt. Is there any way I could tell what year 11 inch flywheel I have? Are the 48 and older thicker than the later years? My flywheel is
1 1/8 inches thick.

[Ed Pitts]

Here is a pic of a 9 inch flywheel from a 41 engine and an 11 inch flywheel from a 39 1 ton truck. Ed

[rotorwrench]

The ID to OD dimension of the starter ring gear is different between the earlier engines and the 8BA family of 48 to 53. The ID to OD is wide on older types and narrower on the later 8BA types. You will likely need a 9-inch clutch set up of the 1935 to 1942 vintage. The 10-inch was used in cars from 42 through 48. If your 11-inch is from the pre 8BA era, you can get it drilled for a 9".

[David J]

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This is a 34 flywheel . 32-34 are the same on V-8's . Note the twelve bolt holes on the lip for attaching the model A style PP . Like stated already the 35 style PP is a big improvement . I use the 33-34 stuff because I bumped my head hard as a youngster & it messed up my judgment on some things .

[Ian NZ]

On my 1932 engine I redrilled a 1947 flywheel for the 9" pressure plate and fitted it with a kevlar clutch plate and I have had no problems.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by My 34 Ford

Thanks Walt. Is there any way I could tell what year 11 inch flywheel I have? Are the 48 and older thicker than the later years? My flywheel is
1 1/8 inches thick.

Look at the back of the 34 wheel and notice how wide the ring gear is, all the wheels 48 and older have that wide ring gear. The 8BA wheel has a narrower gear. Once you've seen the differance in the both you won't forget it. Walt