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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 07:19 PM
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Default balancing flywheel

Ok so I a finalizing my engine swap. It should be here any day now.
Next issue.

The engine that is coming out is an internal balanced one. The new engine is a proper 454 external balanced one so my current flywheel wont work. Can I get my current flywheel balanced or do I need to get a new one.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 07:38 PM
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they used to make a counter weight adapter, but i would suggest getting the right flywheel. You do not want to be chasing vibration issues for the next # of years.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 69Vett
they used to make a counter weight adapter, but i would suggest getting the right flywheel. You do not want to be chasing vibration issues for the next # of years.
69VETT
cool,
flywheels arent that expensive, i just wanted to make sure than an off the shelf 454 flywheel will work.

i am guessing 168 tooth right?

big question though is
which one to get

autozone has oem replacement. it weighs 6 lbs.
summit has them that weigh an average of 30 lbs

what is better, is there a difference.
thanks

Last edited by baxsom; Jul 27, 2009 at 08:19 PM.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 08:31 PM
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I'd be a bit cautious of the AZ 'wheel at 6 lbs. GM's lightweight BB 'wheel was 12 or 15 lbs (don't remember which).
The big difference you'll feel. Car will be a bit harder to get rolling with a lightweight flywheel, but will spin up faster. Just the exact opposite with a heavy one. A light one will allow the engine to shut off easier with a higher idle speed (important note if you're running a cam that likes to idle around 1000). The inertia of the heavy one might cause some "run-on".
I'd also get new ARP bolts for both the clutch and the flywheel to crank.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 09:03 PM
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Are you willing to bet your legs, life and car.
that AZ knows how to spell metallurgical Analysis,
much less what is means ?
Spend the money and buy a minimum of a GM or performance Flywheel.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 09:57 PM
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Lightweight flywheels have a purpose...the drag strip. Some mass on the flywheel makes for smoother engine operation...less vibration.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 10:00 PM
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well i am sure that autozone itself can barely determine its butt from a whole in the ground but the Pioneer flywheel has been recommended on this site a few times which is why i was looking at it. it is listed as oem replacement which is why i was questioning it. it says that the shipped weight is 6lbs. that just doesnt seem right.
its not really the money, it is which part is correct. i want an oem replacement. just like a new off the assembly line one back when the car was new. i dont want a performance one, i dont want a "lightweight" one. i want the right one.

Last edited by baxsom; Jul 27, 2009 at 10:03 PM.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 10:07 PM
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I have Chris's old car "Killer" and it has a 454 with an external crank balancer that allows me to run the L88 internally balanced 10.5" steel OEM GM flywheel that is 14.4lbs. It works fine with no vibration problems. It looks like a small iondized (sp?) arm piece that extends from the crank and does not weigh that much at all. The engine screams to rev to 6,500rpms pinning ya in the back of your seat almost making the shifts come too quick since its so rev happy
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by baxsom
well i am sure that autozone itself can barely determine its butt from a whole in the ground but the Pioneer flywheel has been recommended on this site a few times which is why i was looking at it. it is listed as oem replacement which is why i was questioning it. it says that the shipped weight is 6lbs. that just doesnt seem right.
its not really the money, it is which part is correct. i want an oem replacement. just like a new off the assembly line one back when the car was new. i dont want a performance one, i dont want a "lightweight" one. i want the right one.
The 6# autozone is an automatic flexplate. No one makes a 6# manual flywheel.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 11:16 PM
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well i do have an automatic
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 11:21 PM
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Then you don't want the 30# summit. It is a flywheel for a manual trans. The lightweight flywheels everyone is referring to on this post are manual trans flywheels. You want a 454 flexplate. Pioneer is not a bad option. I got a brand new one here on the shelf but it is for internal balance.

Last edited by 63mako; Jul 27, 2009 at 11:24 PM.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by baxsom
Ok so I a finalizing my engine swap. It should be here any day now.
Next issue.

The engine that is coming out is an internal balanced one. The new engine is a proper 454 external balanced one so my current flywheel wont work. Can I get my current flywheel balanced or do I need to get a new one.
To externally balance a motor it has to be done with the motor, flywheel, flex plate, and damper as one piece. Why do you think that they call it externally balanced?

IMO - Anybody that thinks that externally balanced is the way build a motor doesn't understand motor basics or is just plain cheap!

Last edited by gkull; Jul 28, 2009 at 12:02 AM.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 05:27 AM
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Originally Posted by gkull
To externally balance a motor it has to be done with the motor, flywheel, flex plate, and damper as one piece. Why do you think that they call it externally balanced?
if that were the case shouldnt it be balanced with the torque converter full of fluid bolted to the wheel as well.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 06:44 AM
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if you have a gen 6 mill, then the flywheels and flexplates are SPECIFIC to that engine only.....the gen 6 has a one piece rear seal.....gm has them along with RAM flywheels, or flexplates......good luck
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 06:53 AM
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Originally Posted by baxsom
if that were the case shouldnt it be balanced with the torque converter full of fluid bolted to the wheel as well.
When you buy an engine does it come with a TC bolted to it? Or is the TC a separate item with a neutral balance (which means that it is balanced on it's own)
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