>Speaking of aluminum flywheels, what's the concensus on these? Are they good
>for a street car? Are there any vibration problems? Are you better off going
>with a lightened stock flywheel?
>Who out there is using them? I'm taking my 68 down soon to rebuild motor and
>trans, and while it's apart, would like to upgrade if that's the way to go. I
>know it allows the engine to rev quicker, but is there really that much of
>an advantage?
Seems to me that it's the weight of the flywheel that matters more than
the material. It's also obvious that an aluminum unit will usually be
lighter. Some of the real engineer types can address how much effect, if
any, the distance of the weight from the middle of the flywheel has on
how the engine revs. The heavier the flywheel, the easier it's going to
be to get a car moving, but transmission ratio, differential ratio and
tire diameter also play into this. For our E/P 510 I have the Tilton
flywheel using the 20111 HD roadster pressure plate on an L-18, medium
port (1 1/2 inch) head, 260 degree/.500 lift cam, and 38mm SUs or 40 DCOE
Webers. Initially we'll be running either the OEM sedan 4 spd (3.382-1st)
or a station wagon 4 spd (3.657-1st), a 4.38 LSD diff., and 20 inch tall
tires. This is not a dual purpose car. All of these pieces are designed
to get the engine revving as quickly and easily as possible in
competition. For a street or dual purpose car you can probably get more
consistent/usable performance gain from a lower diff ratio, shorter
tires, maybe both. The shorter tires will also lower the car slightly.
If there's enough material, cutting down the OEM flywheel probably can't
hurt, but remember balance is critical to smooth operation. Have both
operations done by a quality shop, not at Auto Zone. I'm of the opinion
that balancing the flywheel and pressure plate individually is better
than balancing them as a unit. The Tilton flywheels have a steel insert
for the disk to ride against. I have seen other aluminum flywheels with
sprayed on friction surfaces. Not as good, IMHO. Unless something real
bad happens you shouldn't be replacing the flywheel, but pressure plates
do wear out. The Tilton unit is a real work of art. Not inexpensive, but
what is on these cars anymore?
Bottom line, what are you looking for? How/where are you going to be
driving the car? Define your goal before you decide how best to get
there. Too often those two are reversed. Been there, done that. I think
you'll be more satisfied with the results.
FWIW, Ron
Ronnie Day
ronday@home.com
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Dallas/Ft. Worth
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'71 510 2-dr (Prepared Class Autocrosser)
'73 510 2-dr (Street Toy)
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