{"id":48033,"date":"2020-05-06T12:26:44","date_gmt":"2020-05-06T18:26:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/?p=48033"},"modified":"2020-05-06T12:26:44","modified_gmt":"2020-05-06T18:26:44","slug":"how-to-find-the-right-flywheel-for-your-engine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/how-to-find-the-right-flywheel-for-your-engine\/","title":{"rendered":"TECH GUIDE: Find the Right Flywheel for Your Engine"},"content":{"rendered":"

 Car building has experienced a wide variety of engine combinations and changes in design in the past few decades.<\/strong><\/span>The choices between big blocks, small blocks, LS, LT, Flathead, Cleveland, Windsor, Y blocks, FE, MEL, Hemi, Wedge… it can be a little overwhelming sometimes, but typically we know what we like and will go with what we know..<\/strong><\/span>Regardless of which you choose, it’s important to know your engine set up and how it works with the wide variety of transmissions available today.<\/strong><\/span>One of the biggest challenges is knowing your engine balance,\u00a0 to ensure the correct flywheel is bolted on the first time.<\/strong><\/span>You may be thinking that this seems like a \u201cno-brainer\u201d, but you are not alone if you just aren\u2019t 100% sure of what you\u2019re working with.<\/strong><\/span>\"\" The following information will help you choose the correct flywheel.<\/span><\/strong>Should you need information on something not found below, there will likely be a little more research to be done<\/span><\/strong>Feel free to call us<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 208-453-9800<\/strong> In addition, engine balance there are two other important factors to consider.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Crank flange bolt pattern\/sealing arrangement<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Ring gear tooth count.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These are the critical elements to making sure you can properly attach your engine to your chosen transmission.<\/strong>\"\"Each engine manufacturer has its own specific set-up.<\/strong><\/span>So deciding which engine to use is the first step.<\/strong><\/span>This is especially important because not everyone refers to things the same way.<\/strong><\/span>Two engines might both be part of the \u201csmall block\u201d family but are completely different when it comes to which flywheel they use.<\/strong><\/span>You will want to gather as much possible information as you can before you set out on your parts-gathering journey so that you can find the right parts in one trip!<\/strong><\/span> \"\"GM engines are used in a wide variety of builds not just Chevys.<\/strong><\/span>The crank flange bolt patterns of Gen I (two-piece rear main seal),<\/strong><\/span>Gen II (one-piece rear main seal), and Gen III, IV, V (LS style) are all different and will not permit any interchange between them.<\/strong><\/span>These bolt patterns became successively smaller with each generation. Gen I and Gen II Chevy engines featured two available diameters of flywheels 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 flexplates, but carry either a 6, 8, or 9 bolt crank flanges.<\/strong><\/span>Early GM(Chevrolet) Small Block Engines<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Built from 1955-1985.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
    • Displacements were 265ci. up to 400ci.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
    • 2pc rear main seal design crankshaft with 6 bolt flanges.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
    • 153 tooth and 168 tooth ring gears- many of the factory bellhousings will only accept the 153-tooth size, typically the aftermarket bellhousings will accept both sizes.<\/strong><\/span>In many cases, if you\u2019re changing from one size to the other you will also need a new starter that is paired for that ring gear.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
    • All had an internal or \u201c0\u201d balance\u00a0 \u00a0 EXCEPT 400 Small Block- which is externally balanced.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Late GM Small Block Engines<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Built from 1986-2003 for factory vehicles, still available through GM\u2019s crate engine program.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Displacements were limited to 305ci. or 350ci. (the L99 262c.i. was a rare exception)<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
      • 1 pc rear main seal design crankshaft with 6 bolt flanges.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
      • 153 tooth and 168 tooth ring gears- many of the factory bellhousings will only accept the 153-tooth size, typically the aftermarket bellhousings will accept both sizes.\u00a0 In many cases, if you\u2019re changing from one size to the other you will also need a new starter that is matched to that ring gear.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Engines will be either internally or externally balanced with the external balance being most common.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        The GM (Chevrolet) Big Blocks<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • The early 454ci.design used a 2pc rear main seal and had its own specific balance.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
        • The later (after 1990 or Gen V) 454\/502 ci. engines were all 1-pc rear main seal and externally balanced.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
        • All other big-block displacements used a 2-pc rear main seal, internal or \u201c0\u201d balance, and 168 tooth ring gear.\u00a0 They will accept the same flywheel as the early small-block engine.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
        • All Big Blocks can use the 153 tooth flywheel when the engine block is drilled for starter type.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          LS\/LT series engines 1997-present (Gen 3, 4, & 5)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • All engines use a 168-tooth ring gear.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
          • All engines are internally balanced.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Series LS1,2,3,6,7 have 6 bolt crank flange bolt patterns.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
          • The LSA, LSX (aftermarket), and the new LT1 & LT4 engines have 8 bolt crank flange patterns.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
          • The LS9 uses a special 9 bolt crank flange pattern.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Early 4.8L & 6.0L LS engines have an extended crank flange that requires a specific flywheel.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \"\"Ford used three different balances, so you must be conscious of engine balance when choosing a flywheel.<\/span><\/strong>Many aftermarket stroker kits will carry their own balance that is different from the original.<\/span><\/strong>Ford Small Block Engines<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • They have either 157 tooth or 164 tooth ring gear<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • 221ci 1962\u20131963\u00a0 \u00a028.2 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • 255ci 1979\u20131982\u00a0 \u00a050 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • 260ci 1962\u20131964\u00a0 \u00a028.2 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • 289ci 1963\u20131968\u00a0 \u00a028.2 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • 302ci 1968\u20131980\u00a0 \u00a028.2 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • Boss 302ci 1969-1970\u00a0 \u00a028.2 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • 302ci 1981\u20132001\u00a0 \u00a050 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • 351W (Windsor)1969\u20131997\u00a0 \u00a028.2 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • 351C (Cleveland)1970\u20131974\u00a0 \u00a028.2 oz-in<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
            • With a 6-bolt crank flange<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Ford FE & Y Block Engines\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • FE blocks were built from 1958-1976.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
              • Unique crank flange bolt pattern and balance.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
              • With 184 tooth ring gear.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Ford Big Block Engines<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Have displacements of 370, 429, & 460ci.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                • Also referred to as the 385 series of engines sold between 1968\u20131997.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                • With a 176-tooth ring gear.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                • All are internally balanced.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Ford Modular & Coyote Engines<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Built from 1990-present.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Check for 6 or 8 bolt crank flanges.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • 4.6L, 5.0L, 5.4L common displacements.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • There was one variation for the Mustang Shelby GT500 at 5.8Lthat will be different than the others.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • All are internally balanced.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • With 164 tooth ring gear.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                     \"\"<\/u>Mopar Small \/Big Block & Early Gen 1 & 2 Hemi Engines<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Check for 6 or 8 bolt crank flanges.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                    • With 130 tooth ring gear for most, some bigger displacements may use 143-tooth.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                    • You will need to check for the internal or external balance.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Engines mated to automatics from the factory are not machined for a standard Mopar pilot bushing, will require special bronze bushing to run manual transmission.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Mopar Gen 3 Hemi<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • This covers the 5.7, 6.1, & 6.4L engines.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                      • These will have an 8-bolt crank flange.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                      • They are Internally balanced.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                      • With 130 tooth ring gear.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
                      • Caution: some engines have a flush ring gear mount and others are offset by .850\u201d from the factory.\u00a0 If incorrect set up is used the starter will not engage properly.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                         <\/p>\n

                        If you have more questions about which flywheel you need, please check out our site or reach out to our specialists! <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                        Modern Driveline can help you get the right flywheel and has most other parts you will need to build your Ride.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

                        \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 208-453-9800\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 wordpress-261161-947582.cloudwaysapps.com<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                        Some helpful information for matching the right flywheel to your engine<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":50921,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flywheels-videos"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48033"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48033\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moderndriveline.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}