Common questions

How to identify a Chevy small block flywheel?

How to identify a Chevy small block flywheel?

Look for a counterweight. All Chevrolet small-blocks are internally balanced, with the exception of the 400 cubic-inch small-block, the 400 cubic-inch engine-flywheel has a counterweight mounted to the flywheel plate. Determine the flywheel-flange bolt pattern. These are the bolt holes found around the center of the flywheel.

Where are the flywheels on a manual shift car?

Flywheels are mounted to the rear of the engine on manual shift vehicles — just before the clutch assembly and transmission — and are covered by the bellhousing. The primary purpose of the flywheel is to provide momentum for the running engine; it must be properly balanced.

What’s the purpose of a flywheel on a car?

The primary purpose of the flywheel is to provide momentum for the running engine; it must be properly balanced. The secondary purpose is to mate with the starter motor; this allow the starter motor to crank the engine. Installing the wrong flywheel can cause severe engine damage.

Look for a counterweight. All Chevrolet small-blocks are internally balanced, with the exception of the 400 cubic-inch small-block, the 400 cubic-inch engine-flywheel has a counterweight mounted to the flywheel plate. Determine the flywheel-flange bolt pattern. These are the bolt holes found around the center of the flywheel.

Flywheels are mounted to the rear of the engine on manual shift vehicles — just before the clutch assembly and transmission — and are covered by the bellhousing. The primary purpose of the flywheel is to provide momentum for the running engine; it must be properly balanced.

The primary purpose of the flywheel is to provide momentum for the running engine; it must be properly balanced. The secondary purpose is to mate with the starter motor; this allow the starter motor to crank the engine. Installing the wrong flywheel can cause severe engine damage.

Why is my starter too far from the flywheel?

If the starter skips as it is turning the engine, your starter could be too far from the flexplate/flywheel. You could have the wrong starter nose cone, or if you are using shims, remove as many as it takes to get the proper clearance.

How many teeth are in a small block flywheel?

Count the gear teeth on the perimeter of the flywheel. The 12.75-inch flywheel has 153 teeth; the 14-inch flywheel has 168 teeth. The only small-block Chevrolet engine that uses the 14-inch, 168-tooth flywheel is the 400 cubic-inch. Look for a counterweight.

What should clearance be between flywheel and flexplate?

Sometimes, you will need to use a shim to give the proper clearance between the starter drive gear and the flywheel/flexplate ring gear. A rule of thumb is that there should be .030-inch of clearance between the gears when the starter is engaged. In a pinch, a paper clip makes a great gauge for this adjustment.

If the starter skips as it is turning the engine, your starter could be too far from the flexplate/flywheel. You could have the wrong starter nose cone, or if you are using shims, remove as many as it takes to get the proper clearance.

What are the flywheels and flex plates on a Chevy engine?

Gen I and Gen II Chevy engines featured two available diameters of flywheels / flex plates and two corresponding tooth counts of 153 and 168. Gen III, IV, V LS/LT series engines feature only the large diameter, 168 tooth flywheels and flex plates, but carry either a 6, 8, or 9 bolt crank flange. Early GM (Chevrolet) Small Block Engines

Count the gear teeth on the perimeter of the flywheel. The 12.75-inch flywheel has 153 teeth; the 14-inch flywheel has 168 teeth. The only small-block Chevrolet engine that uses the 14-inch, 168-tooth flywheel is the 400 cubic-inch. Look for a counterweight.

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Ruth Doyle