The Ford Barn

Dave / Franklin MA · 08-07-2011, 10:38 PM

I think another reason for the heavy flywheel was due to the very poor roads at the time. Many rural roads were not much improved from the frontier trails they followed, and could be very rough going. When a car bounces along a road like that, as it hits the various holes, ruts, and rocks there are shocks and stresses that are transferred back along the drive shaft that can stall the engine.

I believe a heavy flywheel has a very high rotational inertia that prevents rapid speed changes, and effectively absorbs and dampens these forces so the engine is much less likely to stall under these conditions. That same rotational inertia also helps get the car over the small bumps without losing much speed.

Of course, with the nice smooth roads we have now, that is no longer a consideration and it does make sense to lighten it.

Wello · 08-09-2011, 01:10 PM

Thanks everyone. All the info has really helped. Looks like I'll be going with a lightened flywheel. I'll let you know what I find in the housing once the engine is pulled.

Dan

Wello · 10-16-2011, 04:06 PM

I pulled the engine today. Not as bad as I had remembered. Anyway, here's a photo of the offending hardware from the flywheel housing. All that ring gear damage, all because someone in the past failed to remove a broken bolt. Oh well, it keeps me off the streets.

Like many of my 'A' projects, I have allowed this one to snowball. Picked up a lightened flywheel/V8 clutch from James. I have all the parts ready to go to give the transmission and tower a once over. Hopefully I'll have a pile of iron for the sandblaster ready by tomorrow. A little paint and I can start putting it all back together. Maybe I'll be on the road by next weekend.

Thanks again for all the input.

Dan

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-16-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John S

Why did Ford make the flywheel so heavy in the first place?

"Old Hank was big in recycling, after a useful life, they could be boat anchors!

Terry, NJ · 10-17-2011, 12:38 PM

A flywheel update! After removing some stock off my flywheel, it turned out to be only about 6 lbs. had a dog of a time trying to true it in my friend's Polish lathe (Yeah that's Polish, from Poland!) It was the only lathe I've ever run without a Compound feed. Anyway, Ora landis at Schwalms balanced the crank, clutch, and flywheel with only drlling two small (5/16) 1/4" deep in it. Not much, I expected more.
So What will 6 Lbs buy me? Not very much it seems. This is my first attempt at turning a flywheel and I'd rather err on the side of caution.
Terry

Wello · 12-28-2011, 10:33 PM

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Update:

Finally got the truck back together. I let the project snowball a bit, after all, how often do I really want to pull the engine. I had James Rogers ship me one of his lightened flywheel/V-8 clutch set ups, replaced all the gears and bearings in the tranny, new U-Joint, and plenty of cleaning, sandblasting and paint. I even hit my interior chrome with some 800 grit sandpaper and now I've got the appropriate butler finish (not nickel but it looks great for a driver).

I'm very pleased with the results. The new gears shift so nice now. The lightened flywheel is noticeable but not as dramatic as one might think. Acceleration is a bit better on hills and the deceleration makes shifting a little easier. The pressure plate I used was the tractor, non-adjustable type. No problems at all. It seems to take less pressure on the pedal than the stock set up.

Many thanks to all for your suggestions and thoughts.

Dan

Milton · 12-28-2011, 11:57 PM

Dan,
Thanks for the update.

Cider Mill · 12-29-2011, 12:15 PM

What do you all think about lightening a fly wheel on a stock crankshaft and leaving the stock pressure plate? Is there any benefit? How much should/could be taken off the fly wheel and still use the stock pressure plate?

Wello · 12-29-2011, 12:21 PM

I used the V-8 pressure plate with the lightened flywheel. So far I'm very pleased with the results. She's a bit more peppy and the shifting is smoother. Even with the stock crankshaft I seem to have a little less vibration than before. This may be due to the condition of my original flywheel/clutch.

columbiA · 12-30-2011, 11:21 PM

I have a fly wheel-about 37#on a33 B engine with stock29-34 PP & 35-46 disc with a 3/4"longer release arm & it requires little pressure. to operate.

08-07-2011, 10:38 PM	#21
Dave / Franklin MA Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 31	Re: Flywheel I think another reason for the heavy flywheel was due to the very poor roads at the time. Many rural roads were not much improved from the frontier trails they followed, and could be very rough going. When a car bounces along a road like that, as it hits the various holes, ruts, and rocks there are shocks and stresses that are transferred back along the drive shaft that can stall the engine. I believe a heavy flywheel has a very high rotational inertia that prevents rapid speed changes, and effectively absorbs and dampens these forces so the engine is much less likely to stall under these conditions. That same rotational inertia also helps get the car over the small bumps without losing much speed. Of course, with the nice smooth roads we have now, that is no longer a consideration and it does make sense to lighten it.

08-09-2011, 01:10 PM	#22
Wello Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Paradise, CA Posts: 97	Re: Flywheel Thanks everyone. All the info has really helped. Looks like I'll be going with a lightened flywheel. I'll let you know what I find in the housing once the engine is pulled. Dan

10-17-2011, 12:38 PM	#25
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Flywheel A flywheel update! After removing some stock off my flywheel, it turned out to be only about 6 lbs. had a dog of a time trying to true it in my friend's Polish lathe (Yeah that's Polish, from Poland!) It was the only lathe I've ever run without a Compound feed. Anyway, Ora landis at Schwalms balanced the crank, clutch, and flywheel with only drlling two small (5/16) 1/4" deep in it. Not much, I expected more. So What will 6 Lbs buy me? Not very much it seems. This is my first attempt at turning a flywheel and I'd rather err on the side of caution. Terry

12-28-2011, 10:33 PM	#26
Wello Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Paradise, CA Posts: 97	Re: Flywheel Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Update: Finally got the truck back together. I let the project snowball a bit, after all, how often do I really want to pull the engine. I had James Rogers ship me one of his lightened flywheel/V-8 clutch set ups, replaced all the gears and bearings in the tranny, new U-Joint, and plenty of cleaning, sandblasting and paint. I even hit my interior chrome with some 800 grit sandpaper and now I've got the appropriate butler finish (not nickel but it looks great for a driver). I'm very pleased with the results. The new gears shift so nice now. The lightened flywheel is noticeable but not as dramatic as one might think. Acceleration is a bit better on hills and the deceleration makes shifting a little easier. The pressure plate I used was the tractor, non-adjustable type. No problems at all. It seems to take less pressure on the pedal than the stock set up. Many thanks to all for your suggestions and thoughts. Dan

12-28-2011, 11:57 PM	#27
Milton Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 837	Re: Flywheel Dan, Thanks for the update.

12-29-2011, 12:15 PM	#28
Cider Mill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Shelton, CT Posts: 339	Re: Flywheel What do you all think about lightening a fly wheel on a stock crankshaft and leaving the stock pressure plate? Is there any benefit? How much should/could be taken off the fly wheel and still use the stock pressure plate?

12-29-2011, 12:21 PM	#29
Wello Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Paradise, CA Posts: 97	Re: Flywheel I used the V-8 pressure plate with the lightened flywheel. So far I'm very pleased with the results. She's a bit more peppy and the shifting is smoother. Even with the stock crankshaft I seem to have a little less vibration than before. This may be due to the condition of my original flywheel/clutch.

12-30-2011, 11:21 PM	#30
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Flywheel I have a fly wheel-about 37#on a33 B engine with stock29-34 PP & 35-46 disc with a 3/4"longer release arm & it requires little pressure. to operate.