"FE" Flywheels
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"FE" Flywheels
I have a 68' 360 With a C6. I had two different flywheels. One was from a 60' model 390 and the other I bought at a Ford speed shop. The guy who has been working on my truck, got these two flywheels mixed up and I'm not sure which one he installed. Before he put the trans back in the truck, he left BOTH flywheels in the back of the truck and they got really rusty. I wasn't there when he put it all together and he couldn't tell which one was which. The one I bought from the speed shop was brand new and I think it was a little bit smaller than the one from the 60 model 390. Anyway, we got the engine running, but it sounds like the flywheel is dragging on the starter gear, or, maybe on the inside of the bell housing.
Did Ford make and early, and later model flywheel?? It seems that I had two different sizes and maybe he put the larger one in instead of the smaller one. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
Did Ford make and early, and later model flywheel?? It seems that I had two different sizes and maybe he put the larger one in instead of the smaller one. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
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"FE" Flywheels
Another question along the same line, I had my 360 rebuilt, and now the starter has to have a spacer or it won't fully disengage. The rebuild was 12 yrs ago, and I have changed the starter twice since then, and all three starters fit the same way. The guy had put a washer between the starter and the bell housing to get the proper spacing. I cut a piece of steel to match the shape of the starter, so the area is sealed.
So, is there an adjustment he did wrong, or did he swap flywheels and put the wrong one on?
So, is there an adjustment he did wrong, or did he swap flywheels and put the wrong one on?
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From: Inthepast
"FE" Flywheels
[FONT COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE="3" FACE="Veranda"]
Question 1:
You may have to remove the bellhousing and/or flywheel to determine what went wrong. I think its fair to say you wouldn't be able to correct it without doing so anyway.
Question 2:
Was the steel spacer plate installed between the engine and bellhousing? Sounds like that plate was omitted.
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Question 1:
You may have to remove the bellhousing and/or flywheel to determine what went wrong. I think its fair to say you wouldn't be able to correct it without doing so anyway.
Question 2:
Was the steel spacer plate installed between the engine and bellhousing? Sounds like that plate was omitted.
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Junior User
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"FE" Flywheels
Sounds likely that the spacer plate was omitted. I've run it this way for 40k miles, so I guess there is no reason to fix it now. IF it could cause damage, that damage is already done. Now I know what to look for whenever I get do my next rebuild.
THANKS!
THANKS!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
"FE" Flywheels
I agree with Thom, all the FE wheels will be the same diameter. The manual uses a flywheel and the auto uses a flexplate which is much lighter. The flywheel is used with the clutch and the auto has the torque converter so the starter only uses the flexplate.
I hope I said that right.
John
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In the cool still quiet of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
I hope I said that right.
John
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In the cool still quiet of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
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"FE" Flywheels
Sorry.... I should have used the correct terminology. I DO understand the difference between the flywheel and the flexplate. However, there are two different size "Flexplates" made for the FE engines. From what I have been told anyway.
Ford made an earlier model flexplate for the early 60's FE engines. I had both, and early and a later one. Now, it seems that the wrong one, (bigger earlier one)has been installed in my truck and the Flexplate is either hanging up on the inside of the bellhousing, or it's dragging on the starter gear. I'm not sure which until I get it apart. I just wanted to know if anyone has had this problem before me. The starter spacer may work. It very well may be what fix's the problem. I don't know. Just wanted to hear some other opinions to this problem.
Thanks,
Bill
Ford made an earlier model flexplate for the early 60's FE engines. I had both, and early and a later one. Now, it seems that the wrong one, (bigger earlier one)has been installed in my truck and the Flexplate is either hanging up on the inside of the bellhousing, or it's dragging on the starter gear. I'm not sure which until I get it apart. I just wanted to know if anyone has had this problem before me. The starter spacer may work. It very well may be what fix's the problem. I don't know. Just wanted to hear some other opinions to this problem.
Thanks,
Bill
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From: Inthepast
"FE" Flywheels
[FONT COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE="3" FACE="Veranda"]
Bill:
I have never heard of this problem with the FE; it's usually
associated with the small blocks because of the number of different 302 flywheels, etc. Also, I didn't mean to suggest that the spacer plate was an issue in your case. I think the safest bet is to pull the bell and see if in fact the flywheel is rubbing. You may want to get a fresh start with a god used one. Flexplates are pretty inexpensive and you should be able to get the correct one. [/FONT]
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Bill:
I have never heard of this problem with the FE; it's usually
associated with the small blocks because of the number of different 302 flywheels, etc. Also, I didn't mean to suggest that the spacer plate was an issue in your case. I think the safest bet is to pull the bell and see if in fact the flywheel is rubbing. You may want to get a fresh start with a god used one. Flexplates are pretty inexpensive and you should be able to get the correct one. [/FONT]
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Brea CA
"FE" Flywheels
I can’t remember right now the details but something on the early FE flywheel is different in order to mesh with the early Bendix starters. Have heard of the problem the other way around, someone had an early FE with the Bendix starter that would spin but not fully engage with a later model flywheel. Does this ring a bell with anyone?
Barry
Barry
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 507
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From: Pasadena US
"FE" Flywheels
The real early starters had the bendix move back towards the starter rather than away from the starter . This is like the starter that an old Y-block engine uses.
Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance
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Mustang RUSToration & Performance
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"FE" Flywheels
I understand Stockman, I was mostly replying to Jowilker's post about the Flexplate, and the flywheel terminology.
I do however have the correct flexplate, or what I believe to be the correct one. It has 153 teeth and it has the identical pitch as the other one that is in the truck now. The one in the truck now has 184 teeth and is 15.55" and the other one I have is 15.50" in diameter.
Thanks for the input,
Bill
I do however have the correct flexplate, or what I believe to be the correct one. It has 153 teeth and it has the identical pitch as the other one that is in the truck now. The one in the truck now has 184 teeth and is 15.55" and the other one I have is 15.50" in diameter.
Thanks for the input,
Bill
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From: Inthepast
"FE" Flywheels
[FONT COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE="3" FACE="Veranda"]
It's an interesting issue to kick around. I hope it works out for you. Give us some follow-up on your findings for future reference.
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It's an interesting issue to kick around. I hope it works out for you. Give us some follow-up on your findings for future reference.
[/FONT]
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