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Y-Blockhead 03-01-2022 09:06 PM

Flywheel bolt torque
 

A friend was installing his flywheel and he torqued the bolts to 65 lb/ft per Les Andrews "Red" Book. He pulled the threads on two of the holes.

Upon further looking, the "Red" Book says 65 lb/ft in one place and 55 lb/ft in another. Bratton's catalog says 55 lb/ft.

I have never seen this happen before. Does anyone have a suggestion on a fix and correct torque spec?

nkaminar 03-01-2022 09:19 PM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Insert a Helicoil. Use an old flywheel to align the drill and tap or machine something up. In his instructions, Terry Burtz says to use 55 foot-pounds. The Helicoil will hold more than the original threads because there is more thread area. Drag racers will install Helicoils in the blocks used for racing to hold the heads on. They are just as good or better than the other kinds of inserts.

Synchro909 03-01-2022 09:27 PM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar (Post 2109420)
Insert a Helicoil. Use an old flywheel to align the drill and tap or machine something up. In his instructions, Terry Burtz says to use 55 foot-pounds. The Helicoil will hold more than the original threads because there is more thread area. Drag racers will install Helicoils in the blocks used for racing to hold the heads on. They are just as good or better than the other kinds of inserts.

And send the bill to Les?

old ugly 03-01-2022 11:08 PM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

i have found there to be a few lines of incorrect or conflicting info in the Les Andrews books.
best to use it as a guide but not as a bible.

johnneilson 03-01-2022 11:21 PM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Hmmm
I have to ask a couple questions
Did the crank flange actually pull the threads out
I find that highly unlikely if the proper length and quantity bolts used

In addition I typically test the threads after welding flange for Chevy seal at 75 # torque and never pulled one out

Better take a look at the bolts

John

J Franklin 03-01-2022 11:23 PM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Something had been running loose at one time in the past.

Y-Blockhead 03-02-2022 12:40 AM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnneilson (Post 2109452)
Hmmm
I have to ask a couple questions
Did the crank flange actually pull the threads out
I find that highly unlikely if the proper length and quantity bolts used

In addition I typically test the threads after welding flange for Chevy seal at 75 # torque and never pulled one out

Better take a look at the bolts

John

John, I have not seen it myself. He just described it over the phone. Believe me I have already asked all your questions and more. Supposedly new Grade 8 bolts of correct length. 7/16-20 x 13/16".

Two of the bolts held, two pulled out. He got some Time-Serts he will be installing in those two.

Patrick L. 03-02-2022 07:50 AM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by synchro909 (Post 2109424)
and send the bill to les?




:d:d:d:d

jw hash 03-02-2022 08:45 AM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

be careful, if you drill and or tap the holes not to wipe out the rear seal in the block. there is not much room between the flange and the seal.

Bob Bidonde 03-02-2022 09:03 AM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

The stock flywheel attachment bolt is a 7/16 diameter with a fine thread and a drilled head for safety wire. The application of the 4 bolts is predominantly shear due to the large inertia of the flywheel, and some tension due to the actuation of the clutch and the drive-line angle.


The length of the bolts is critical, because if their length exceeds 0.75", the bolts may crack the oil slinger of the rear main bearing. The crankshaft is forged steel.

Since tension is not the ruling bolt load, bolt torque need not be so high as to develop the classic 75% of the bolt's yield strength. In this case, torque gives uniformity of the clamp-up of the flywheel to the crankshaft.


I am currently installing a flywheel, and I will be torquing the bolts to 40 lbs-ft.


By the way, a fine thread is stronger in tension and shear than a coarse thread of the same diameter. Fine threads have less tendency to loosen because their thread angle is less.

Y-Blockhead 03-02-2022 10:01 AM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde (Post 2109510)
The stock flywheel attachment bolt is a 7/16 diameter with a fine thread and a drilled head for safety wire. The application of the 4 bolts is predominantly shear due to the large inertia of the flywheel, and some tension due to the actuation of the clutch and the drive-line angle.


The length of the bolts is critical, because if their length exceeds 0.75", the bolts may crack the oil slinger of the rear main bearing. The crankshaft is forged steel.

Since tension is not the ruling bolt load, bolt torque need not be so high as to develop the classic 75% of the bolt's yield strength. In this case, torque gives uniformity of the clamp-up of the flywheel to the crankshaft.


I am currently installing a flywheel, and I will be torquing the bolts to 40 lbs-ft.


By the way, a fine thread is stronger in tension and shear than a coarse thread of the same diameter. Fine threads have less tendency to loosen because their thread angle is less.

Thanks Bob. I passed your info along to him.

Patrick L. 03-02-2022 11:02 AM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Hmm, I've not had an issue with installing a flywheel. But, STUFF happens.

I doubt the bolts need to be that tight. Tight is good as long they are equal and laced.

I agree with installing Heli-coils, they should be fine.

katy 03-02-2022 11:18 AM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde (Post 2109510)
Fine threads have less tendency to loosen because their thread angle is less.

I don't believe that, both fine and coarse have the same angle, 60°

johnneilson 03-02-2022 12:03 PM

Re: Flywheel bolt torque
 

Katy,

you are right, the thread form is 60 deg, what the theory is that a 20 pitch is less inclined angle in rotation. Sorry, not buying that either.

FWIW, helicoils are not stronger than the base metal, IMHO, only used for thread repair if necessary. Timeserts are much stronger due to the solid form unlike a wire, which can roll.

Part of the mystery about bolt torque is when you get close to the yield strength of the fastener. I have had grade 8 7/16-20 bolts yield at 45 ft# torque. the quality is just not there sometimes. Now, get into higher grade fasteners such as rod bolts, same 7/16-20 and designed for clamping you do not torque, you measure the amount of stretch overall. BTW, it is approx 70 ft# torque.

John


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