I need to pull the automatic and stick in a 5 speed until we get the controller sorted out, so that I can drive the car. Got a show coming up in 4 weeks. I think I have everything except the flywheel. Need one that will work on a 340, used is OK. Lighter is better. Any help? Sean? Thanks, Jim
OK, another question or two for those of you who are experts at such things: First, what flywheels are usable on the 340 engine? And a related question, does the BBB use the same bolt pattern or is it larger? I'm guessing larger and more teeth. 160=SBB, 166=BBB? Jim
300, 340, and 350 are pretty much the same and interchangeable. The 300/340 have extra holes drilled around the OD... I assume for fine tuning the balance with pins? ...... or for dirt daubers to build nests in! Early V6 will fit but they're heavier and the balance is wrong. 160 teeth is correct for those. A Jeep with a Buick 350 is another possible source. I hear they accept an 11" clutch.
Thanks. Manual transmission 350 jeeps seem to be about as rare as manual transmission SBB's though. I had no idea the aftermarket had gotten so very confused about this. Had they known, it's quite possible a new flywheel under $100 might have been available from China (Luk). Someone somewhere has been asleep at the wheel. I've heard it is possible to convert a 168 tooth 350 chevy flywheel by slotting one hole, installing a 160 tooth ring gear and rebalancing, possibly shaving off a bit of the face. Jim
If I understand the previous posts, a 350 Buick is external balance? A 350 Chevy will be an internal balance so that option would not work.
Perhaps if you can find a manual sbc 400 flywheel to convert? Not sure what offset weight either engine has though? Or if where you simply slot the hole as you say will put the weight where it needs to be? You should be able to get one of them there brand new made in China cheapies to play with while you're looking for an old made in USA one. GL Derek
Those 153, 166, and 168 tooth flywheels are a different diameter, aren't they? Suppose you could make them work if you change the starter position or gear. There are WAY too many incorrect listings on the web saying those Chev flywheels will fit a Buick. Pioneer and Luk are prime examples.
Yeah, TA is about the only ones you can really depend on here. They have a billet steel flywheel, costs about $315 and I think it weighs about 29lbs. Kinda heavy for my use. Jim
Hi just saw this now... No I sold my flywheel to a guy from the board. It was super heavy and from a jeep. Not many SBB 4 speed parts around. Call TA maybe they have one kicking around?
Here's the plan, take note some of you may need to do something like this sometime. -Chris Gill has been using SBC flywheels on his stroker 300. BUT, it is internally balanced. He found he could use the 168 tooth SBC flywheel, slot one of the bolt holes for indexing, and cut down the OD for the 225 V6 ring gear which is available for about $40 or less. -We usually need an externally balanced flywheel however. -I'm not absolutely positive this is going to work, but: Keeping the original flexplate and sandwiching it between the flywheel and crank would satisfy the balance requirements and drive the starter provided it doesn't interfere with the flywheel, the mounting bolts are long enough, and there is still enough room for the throwout bearing. - The Luk LFW131 flywheel which costs $67 and weighs about 18lbs has a 153 tooth ring gear. Removed, it should give adequate clearance. =Chris is sending me his Schaefer aluminum flywheel which he cut down for the 160 tooth SBB ring gear. I can either mount a ring gear and have it rebalanced, or use it with the OEM flexplate but may have to trim for more ring gear clearance if I do. -Flywheel bolts are grade 8 and .900" long. Minus lockwashers they may be long enough. Or, the flywheel mounting flange could be thinned a bit. -Using a HTOB. That could possibly be fitted with a shorter bearing or the body shortened. This one is OEM for a V6 Camaro, cost about $40. With the stock Buick linkage I expect there would be adequate clearance. Jim
JW recently posted a video of how the flex plate "flexes" bolted to a torque converter, I would imagine without it bolted to the T/C that it may flex enough to do some self clearance clearancing! They make a flex/fly wheel internal to external bolt on balance weight that is installed like you want to use the flex plate behind your flywheel for a sbc to be able to use an internal balancer on an externally balanced engine. I'll see if I can find that part for you so you don't start stacking flex plates underneath flywheels, I will have more time to look it up tonight. To be continued.................. Derek
I suppose I could bolt the outer edge of the flexplate to the flywheel. I was thinking of taking the aluminum one to the shop along with the existing flex plate and asking them if they can match the balance, maybe by drilling. May not be enough there though. That add on weight idea could work but orientation would have to be right and weight would have to be right. I have no idea what the external balance weight for a SBB would be. I guess I could call Dale Spooner though since he balanced the engine. Jim
Item # Image Description Price 4161 Bolt-On Balance Plate, For 350 Flywheel with 400 Crank For 350 Flywheel with 400 Crank In Stock http://www.competitionproducts.com/searchprods.asp There you go Jim, I hope this helps. I tried to post the direct link but it wouldn't work so I copied and pasted it. To get to it with the link, type the part number in the upper right hand corner of that website's search function and it will go right to that page. Derek
I ordered that weight, figured if I don't use it my son might on his 383 SBC. Parts are trickling in. I pulled the auto today. The flexplate has a lip around the center hole so the sandwich idea is out, unless that is trimmed off which I don't want to do. Bell and HTOB should be here tomorrow. Jim
If need that massive 11 inch flywheel I have one. Took me months to find. didn't need. still in shipping package. Just read this post
Thanks. I did run across one on ebay awhile back and bought it. Put it in the lathe and cut a bunch of metal off it, countersunk the flange bolt holes and got some hardened bolts to mount it, then stuck it on the shelf to use if/when the aluminum one gets chewed up. So hopefully I'm OK for the immediate future. But it's good to know you have one. Sometimes these things don't work out as intended. Jim
I have one for a 350 that fits the 10.4" clutch. It's been beadblasted, painted and resurfaced so it's good to go. I had been saving it to put a 4 speed in my Buick but changed directions and put the 4 speed in the El Camino so I supposed I will not be needing the Buick flywheel now. Let me know if you're interested. I almost forgot I had it until I saw this thread.
Sounds good brother. I’ll have it if any member needs it. Bought off member and paid bounty on top of price $400 ahahhahaha. I’ll take 300$ cause I’ll never use
