Would you helicoil a flywheel?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 481
From: Salmon Arm, BC
If it was me I wouldn't. Replacement flywheels are cheap compared to injured feet....... But let me say that I was involved in a helicoil operation on a main bearing saddle in a top alcohol funnycar many years ago. That engine lived through many many passes before it was sold. I guess helicoils can live in stressful environments sucessfully
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 138
From: Butler Pa
Well, flywheels are relatively cheap, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with having helicoils installed. In fact they make locking helicoils that would be perfect for this situation.
If you decide to go this route, I would have all 6 of them done just in case any of the others had been over torqued.
If you decide to go this route, I would have all 6 of them done just in case any of the others had been over torqued.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Well, flywheels are relatively cheap, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with having helicoils installed. In fact they make locking helicoils that would be perfect for this situation.
If you decide to go this route, I would have all 6 of them done just in case any of the others had been over torqued.
If you decide to go this route, I would have all 6 of them done just in case any of the others had been over torqued.
Then balance the flywheel and pressue plate as an assy....or at least the flywheel, but I doubt the inserts would throw off the balance that much..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 138
From: Butler Pa
If you're going to balance it, do them separately. If not, and you needed to replace the pressure plate, the flywheel would then need to be balanced again.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
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From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I'm going to run by Standard Transmission at lunch and drop of the M-21. I brought the flywheel with me to get their advise. I'm buying the clutch assy. from them, so they can balance it also once the coils are installed. I guess I need to price out a flywheel for comparison.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I've been in aviation for 33 years, been a crew cheif since I was 16. My training and experience would lean way over to replacing the flywheel, they're not that much money.
809-14096987 is a GM performance # from Jegs. $115, not too much money for peace of mind, IMHO
809-14096987 is a GM performance # from Jegs. $115, not too much money for peace of mind, IMHO
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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Done correctly it would be fine. It's only a 3/8" bolt. You could helicoil it and install studs to help make sure they all hold well.
No need to rebalance. You're going to drill out metal, retap to install the Helicoil.....it's pretty much just replacing the drilled/tapped metal. Never notice it on a balance job.
JIM
No need to rebalance. You're going to drill out metal, retap to install the Helicoil.....it's pretty much just replacing the drilled/tapped metal. Never notice it on a balance job.
JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
No need to re-balance it IF it was in-balance to begin with. And that's a pretty big assumption on a used flywheel.
Have the shop balance the flywheel; then have them add the pressure plate and balance it while it's mounted to the flywheel (also have them provide an index mark). The assembly should be nearly perfect.
Have the shop balance the flywheel; then have them add the pressure plate and balance it while it's mounted to the flywheel (also have them provide an index mark). The assembly should be nearly perfect.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Odd how these questions come up....for the very FIRST time in my life I had a torque converter with TWO out of the four TC bolts stripped out, just a week ago....Dodge Van...
stupid crap buckwheat fools working on it...the two 'bolts' holding it to the flexplate were just mild steel...
tried to drill tap the old converter....fugettaboutit....
150 bux later it's fixed....
stick a 3/8 impact on it, tighten till it rings clean...
rocket science.....
stupid crap buckwheat fools working on it...the two 'bolts' holding it to the flexplate were just mild steel...
tried to drill tap the old converter....fugettaboutit....
150 bux later it's fixed....
stick a 3/8 impact on it, tighten till it rings clean...
rocket science.....
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
considering the price of the helicoil kit and the price of a new flywheel better yet a good used one. You wouldn't be out much to just replace it after all things wear out and it's best to just chuck them. Just think if the bolt would come lose and flywheel wobble all the trouble and money you would be out in that case.
Jeff
Jeff
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
again...think what you're writing...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Everyone keeps going back to the cost. Why spend $125 when you don't have to on a new flywheel. The one in the car is 40+ years old and I feel kind of bad giving up on it. Call me sentimental.
BTW - I have a back up flywheel out of a Camaro, so I've got that covered.
BTW - I have a back up flywheel out of a Camaro, so I've got that covered.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Exactly. Safety has been driven thru me at my job, think about it, how much is the time and effort worth right now? How much will it be worth if, a big if, but still if, it goes bad in 300, 1500, or 3000 miles? I'm not a rich person, but aggrevation factor of re-doing a job is high on my priority list.
Do what you will, I'm certainly not trying to get you to do it my way, as it seems is possible in this thread, I'm just giving my point of veiw, from my experience.
Do what you will, I'm certainly not trying to get you to do it my way, as it seems is possible in this thread, I'm just giving my point of veiw, from my experience.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Tank man...educate me, I am just an uneducated DP that stepped offa da boat, an I don't know the first tink about an unsafe flywheel...educate me an tell me how Budman's flywheel is unsafe and a danger to his legs...I wanna learn, I wanna know....educate me...