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I just got by Flathead 8BA back from the machine shop which I will be mating with a 3 Speed 78-7006 (case). The fly wheel on this 8BA had 6 evenly spaced bolt holes. I never thought to check to see if it was a Merc crank. Somehow I ended up with a pressure plate to match this flywheel but not sure if its rebuild-able and cant seem to find any online for sale. I do have another flywheel for the long style pressure plate. I measured (13inch) and weighed (32lbs) both flywheels and the only difference is the bolt hole pattern. I'm thinking of using long style flywheel since there seems to be plenty long style PP online. Is there any reason why I can't use the long style flywheel if the crank is a Merc?
Was the Merc clutch in the truck when you got it, and did it work OK? Can you measure across the wear pattern on the Long flywheel? It kind of looks like a 9.5" Car flywheel. A 10" Long flywheel would have the bolt holes as close to the edge of the flywheel as the Merc/B&B style FW.
There's no difference in Merc and Ford flywheels other than the bolt patterns, but Cars used different diameter (smaller) input shafts, so the disc would be different. If you want to use the Merc FW and clutch, Fort Wayne Clutch can rebuild them. Not exactly around the corner from you tho, someone local may be able to do it.
I don't know anyone who has used the Merc/B&Bclutch with a truck trans. It's not a given that the PP fingers will work right with the Truck trans and release bearing, but I would think you'd be OK.
Was the Merc clutch in the truck when you got it, and did it work OK? Can you measure across the wear pattern on the Long flywheel? It kind of looks like a 9.5" Car flywheel. A 10" Long flywheel would have the bolt holes as close to the edge of the flywheel as the Merc/B&B style FW.
There's no difference in Merc and Ford flywheels other than the bolt patterns, but Cars used different diameter (smaller) input shafts, so the disc would be different. If you want to use the Merc FW and clutch, Fort Wayne Clutch can rebuild them. Not exactly around the corner from you tho, someone local may be able to do it.
I don't know anyone who has used the Merc/B&Bclutch with a truck trans. It's not a given that the PP fingers will work right with the Truck trans and release bearing, but I would think you'd be OK.
Thank you for the response. No it wasn't and you are probably right.The guy who I bought the first flatty (cracked block) which had the long flywheel threw in several items including the Merc PP but wasn't installed. The flatty appeared to be from a car due to the oil pan. I never checked that the Merc PP would not bolt to this flatty flywheel (long style). The wear pattern measures 10 inches on the long style.
Second block (rebuilt - pic) came from an F1 but no PP and it happened to have the 6 bolt holes equally spaced flywheel which lines up the Merc PP that I got with the first block. Maybe this block has the Merc 4inch Crank . I need to call the machine shop and get the specs.
I'm thinking my two options are 1) find an long style flywheel and buy new long PP or 2) have one of the flywheels drilled for the right pattern. Thoughts?
You have a 10" Long style FW, all you need is the PP and disc to go with it. It looks like it could use a light resurfacing.
There is a lot of junk being sold now, I'd be inclined to see if Ft Wayne sells outright, or only does rebuilds. Everyone raves about their service on flathead clutches.
You have a 10" Long style FW, all you need is the PP and disc to go with it. It looks like it could use a light resurfacing.
There is a lot of junk being sold now, I'd be inclined to see if Ft Wayne sells outright, or only does rebuilds. Everyone raves about their service on flathead clutches.
That would make sense based on the wear pattern. The 6 bolt hole flywheel must be an 11 inch. I hear you, I've learned the hard way buying new junk re-pop. I will take a look Ft Wayne. Thank you.
If you send your flywheel out, have it lightened. Most any of the flathead books can tell you where to remove material. I wouldn't use an 11" clutch & flywheel unless I had to - way too much mass for a street driven car. If it was in an F2/F250 being used as a work truck, then I'd use it. Anything less needs a 10" with a lighter flywheel, IMO.
I'd shoot for 23-25lbs on the flywheel...you can get them to about 18lbs if you try real hard, but there's no need to go to the limit. Knocking a good 8-10lbs off the stock flywheel will wake up that flatty somewhat.
I'd be looking to use a 10" clutch too. While the 9-1/2" clutch will probably work just fine.
The difference between the 9.5" & 10" clutch is roughly 11% surface area, something you won't notice on a street truck.
Often, the best choice comes down to what you have available though...and unless that something is 11", I'd say use whatever it is.
That would make sense based on the wear pattern. The 6 bolt hole flywheel must be an 11 inch. I hear you, I've learned the hard way buying new junk re-pop. I will take a look Ft Wayne. Thank you.
Let me get some measurements on spare FW's. I've never heard of an 11" B&B clutch on flatheads.
So long story short. I had the merc and long style wheel resurfaced today, which now I wish I would have lightened up a bit as Ernie recommended but read thread too late. I picked up a 10 inch long style PP & Disk at Early Ford Store (San Dimas, CA) which was an original (USA)l rebuilt one and with my BAD LUCK the bolt hole pattern didn't match. I measured the groove on the disk it was 10 inches or at least I thought. It turned out the bolt hole pattern was for a 9.5 inch. So I decided to re-drill the merc wheel (6 evenly spaced holes) since the teeth where in better shape. Interestingly enough the machine shop that resurfaced the wheel and rebuilt the flathead did not do redrilling. They recommended a guy who works out of his garage and WOW, he had a full machine shop in his garage. He is retired and that's what he does for fun. Picked it up and did a great job. I will keep the other flywheel for the future. I will weight both flywheel to see what was shaved off if anything from the original 32.2 lbs.
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. I need to call the machine shop and get the specs.
