Why are the flywheels and flexplates balanced together?
Why are the flywheels and flexplates balanced together?
The amount of imbalance matters because the entire rotating assembly is balanced together, and externally balanced engines put part of the balance weight onto the harmonic balancer and onto the flywheel/flexplate.
What kind of flywheel does a Ford Mustang use?
AOD transmissions used a 164 tooth flexplate. Mustang T5 transmissions used a 157 tooth flywheel and a 10.5″ or 10″ clutch disc. Ford light-duty trucks often used a 164 tooth flexplate and an 11″ clutch disc, though some heavy-duty trucks used much larger clutches.
When did Ford go from 28oz to 50 oz?
“Ford changed the imbalance on the 302 (otherwise known as the 5.0L) engines in 1981. Some sources list this change as 1980 in a confusing way, but all of the reliable data I found said 1981 was the first year of the new 50oz imbalance motors. Thus, if your motor was built before 1981, then it’s a 28oz imbalance motor.
What’s the difference between 28oz and 50oz imbalances?
Once you know what to look for, you can easily tell the difference between 28oz and 50oz imbalance pieces by looking at the back side. The 50oz units will have a much larger weight on them. Comparing an unknown unit against a known unit is easy, and various websites have good side-by-side photos of the differences you can educate yourself.
The amount of imbalance matters because the entire rotating assembly is balanced together, and externally balanced engines put part of the balance weight onto the harmonic balancer and onto the flywheel/flexplate.
AOD transmissions used a 164 tooth flexplate. Mustang T5 transmissions used a 157 tooth flywheel and a 10.5″ or 10″ clutch disc. Ford light-duty trucks often used a 164 tooth flexplate and an 11″ clutch disc, though some heavy-duty trucks used much larger clutches.
What’s the difference between 11 and 10 tooth flywheels?
You can also clearly see the clutch operating area on the smaller flywheel on the right. A bigger clutch means more holding power with less force, which is why you often see the larger 11″ clutches and 164 tooth flywheels used in the trucks and larger cars, and the smaller 10″ or 10.5″ clutches and 157 tooth flywheels used in the smaller cars.
Once you know what to look for, you can easily tell the difference between 28oz and 50oz imbalance pieces by looking at the back side. The 50oz units will have a much larger weight on them. Comparing an unknown unit against a known unit is easy, and various websites have good side-by-side photos of the differences you can educate yourself.
Where does the flexplate go in a car?
A flexplate is mounted to the crankshaft and connects the output from the engine to the input of a torque converter. Torque converters replace the clutch of a manual transmission. Allowing the load to be separated from the power source.
What is the function of a flex plate?
For the flexplate, the function remains identical till the mounting of the ring gear to the starter to crank the engine. The contemporary system involves the use of a flex plate to provide a backing system to a torque converter, which is a counterpart of the clutch disc.
How does a flexplate attach to a starter?
A flexplate consists of a steel, circular disk with perforated holes and, depending on the model, teeth on the outside ring which engage the starter. A flexplate bolts directly to the crankshaft flange, and connects to the torque converter with large mounting bolts.
How to find the right flywheel and flexplate for your car?
They will accept the same flywheel/flex plate as the early small block engine LSA, LSX (aftermarket), and the new LT1 & LT4 engines have 8 bolt crank flange pattern Early 4.8L & 6.0L LS engines have an extended crank flange that requires a specific flywheel/flex plate The second engine group to go over is the Ford produced V8s.
What do I need to know about my flex plate?
Unless you have had extensive experience in working with automatic transmissions, leave this to the professionals! Your flex plate must be installed precisely, have its bolts torqued down to the correct settings and in the right sequence, and also be aligned correctly between engine and transmission.
Where does the energy from a flex plate come from?
Sourcing and accumulating the energy transferred from the engine, a flex plate relocates the energy through a gearbox, i.e., the transmission system of the vehicle. The original source of power generation is the engines.
What’s the difference between two engine flex plates?
This is especially important because not everyone refers to things the same way. Two engines might both be part of the “small block” family, but are completely different when it comes to which flex plate or flywheel they use.
