Can a 1955 steel flywheel be used on a 56 322 engine? We also have the option to buy an aluminium one with steel clutch insert. Anyone have experience good or bad with an aluminium weber flywheel? Looking for flywheel / clutch recommendations for a 322 into 40 Ford Pickup. Probably running a 4 speed top loader, no diff gears sorted yet. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
In a lighter weight vehicle & the right rear gears aluminum will be fine under 2500 lbs. Otherwise steel.
At some point the bellhousing diameter changed.1956? Tom, were flywheel diameters the same between earlier and later? New steel flywheels are avail for under $300.
The bells changed diameter in 1957 when they got one inch smaller. I don't know off hand about flywheel diameter.
Thanks for the information Tom and Walt. I have only found new steel / billet fly wheels for the 364 401 and 425. Bendtsens indicate the later can not be used on earlier engines. Im not sure of the pickups weight once the nailhead goes in but I think they are around 2700 lbs factory and data I have seen indicates up to 3200 depending on engine trans combo. We will probably grab the alloy flywheel and keep hunting for a good used steel one as well. Used flywheels are coming up for sale occasionally (not down here in NZ ) but 56 appears different than the earlier 264 /322 engines and I have seen different ring gear teeth numbers advertised as well but maybe that was the later models. I guess if balanced correctly they could still be used.
I used a Weber aluminum flywheel on the 264 in my '55 Ford Vic. You will need to have the balance checked before installation. I think Tom T knows the amount of imbalance that is proper.
