Im looking into swapping my auto to a 4-speed soon. I already have the trans and all or most of the linkage and pedal. Soon i plan on getting the flywheel clutch and bellhousing. Now my question is, for a mildly built BBB (check signature) would a stock bellhousing, flywheel and one step up from stock clutch asembly be efficiant and also safe? In other words, would i have to worry constantly or every time i drop the clutch about my flywheel exploding or flying out and cutting my feet off? Im a new commer to all of this torque and hp. The only other stick cars i've ever owned were 305 chevys and i wasnt worried about this. I dont plan on racing. Its just a street car and i only get on it once in a while. Should i buy a scattersheild? Or would a stock set up with a blanket work well? Thanks~Vinny
I would say. No I have seen the results of a clutch explosion in person. Fortunately for my friend the clutch exploded out from 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock. If there would have been someone sitting in the passenger seat it would have mangled their feet big time. The floor was pushed into the dash and parts of the pressure plate went through the stock bellhousing, floor, dash, and windshield. This wasn't some 8000 rpm screamer either, just a mild 350 Nova. :eek2: I would recommend getting a McLeod bell housing. The Lakewood is good, but have heard the newer ones do not come with a block plate and I guess they don't make one for the Buick anymore.
Back in the 60s I remember a local guy whose flywheel exited the scene by first cutting a hole through the roof of his Chevelle while he was making a pass at the old Sanford drag strip. Simultaneously the Chevelle began to dramatically slow down as he was cleaning out his britches.
Vinny I too have seen the carnage that can happen when a clutch/flywheel come apart. I put a steel belhousing on my GS455 awhile back when I was doing some drag racing with it. I have a used Lakewood unit for sale if you are interested. http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=115712
Ekkkkk:shock: :rant: :ball: That really ruined there day. But at least they got to walk away with there legs still attatched...... How common is it for this to happen? How often to a BBB? How much abuse would it take to cause the breakage? I'd love to do this swap but as usual im on a buget so i must spend my money on only needed parts. No over kill parts and nothing extra money for a part that looks pretty, like most Chevy parts. I dont want to do anything that would put me or my passengers at risk. I really dont think this would happen in my case because i dont beat the heck out of my car or plan on revving past 52000-5400 rpm at the most. I always say though better safe than sorry. :3gears: :blast: :spank: Thanks ~Vinny
The problem is we don't know when a clutch or flywheel will let go. I have known folks that have beaten there 4 speed cars mercilessly with a stock flywheel, bellhousing, and an el cheapo Napa clutch kit, and never had a problem. There is a very good chance that nothing will ever happen with your car. I personally choose to run a blow proof bell because it is relatively cheap insurance that if a failure does happen, my car and my feet will be saved an expense that is A LOT greater. o No:
Ya know, come to think about this. about a year or two ago i cracked my stock bellhousing on my '84 Trans am with a T-5 (5-speed). It wasn't a small crack either. That has an LG4 motor (305) with approx 200 hp and i guess a littl less in torque. I cant lie about not:3gears: a few times. In fact, i did have a lot of fun with that car an dstill do. So, cant say it was all the bellhousings fault. But now im really starting to think about this. No one else chimed in with any expereince with a BBB shattering on them. ~Vinny
Other than TA, Postons and PAE what are our other sources for manual flywheels and other parts? ~Vinny
I got my billet flywheel from Mondello it is certified and it is 12#s lighter than stock with bolt patterns for the 10.5 and 11 clutch.I ordered it in the light wieght and use the 10.5 clutch.I also use the stock type bellhousing (for now any way) All this is behind a 455 in a Chevy LUV pickup with 4.11s and 31-18.5 tires.
