Flywheel Installation Help

[arbita1]

I bought a resurfaced flywheel some time ago that is supposed to fit my 83. However, last night when I went to bolt it on, the bolt holes would not line up. I turned it a few times to try different positions, but that didnt help.

Do, I have the wrong flywheel? It looks the same ad my old one, but the numbers are different.

[proffighter]

There is only one possible way to fit due the unsteady hole pattern. Try every position, I am sure there is one that fits.

[arbita1]

Originally Posted by proffighter

There is only one possible way to fit due the unsteady hole pattern. Try every position, I am sure there is one that fits.

Ok. I'll try that tonight. Thanks.

[gary hunter]

I just went through exactly the same thing. Not to profess my stupidity but I sat there for 15 min trying to get the holes lined up. There is only one way! Thanks for making me feel better.

Gary

[JJ 911SC]

As per proffighter.

the biggest distance between 2 of the flywheel holes on your pics are at 7 & 8 O'Clock. Find the matching hole and Bob is your uncle...

[arbita1]

Thanks guys. I feel silly, but relieved that I don't need to buy a new one.

Another question...Wayne's engine book recommends a little loctite 271 on the bolts. I don't see this recommended anywhere else. Did anyone do this?

[hcoles]

Yes, as a general rule if the Wayne book says to do something it is followed by many or most here. There may be some discussion on certain items but I don't see too much of that. The professional experts use other methods or materials in some cases backed up with years of experience. IMHO.

[proffighter]

In the factory manual there is no use of loctite, but there will be no harm if using Loctite here. I added some too due the fact I have a aluminum flywheel...

[arbita1]

I was more concerned that if I need to remove the flywheel again, the loctite will make it more difficult. Like you said, the factory manual doesn't call for it on the flywheel bolts, only the three pilot bearing bolts. Also, Wayne's 101 projects book doesn't mention using it, only his engine rebuild book. And Bentley doesn't even have a procedure for installing the flywheel. It references you to the engine removal/installing section, but there is nothing in that section for it.

So maybe I'll skip the loctite, unless someone has a real reason not to.

[Quicksilver]

Loctite guarantees that bolt won't loosen itself. A flywheel coming loose at speed is a memorable experience (you won't be able to get it out of your head!).

If you expect to be in there fairly often and are worried about removal you might downgrade to the blue Loctite 242 but I use the red myself. If you over torqued it with the red that might be an issue but Loctite responds to heat so it isn't really an problem.

[Gunter]

Correct torque is more important, IMHO.

Once the flywheel is installed, I use a dial indicator and check the run-out.

[Walt Fricke]

For stock motors driven on the street, you should not need any threadlocker on the flywheel bolts. Just clean all threads and torque to factory specifications. Flywheels did not come loose on these cars as delivered from the factory when used within stock limits. Yours won't either.

If you decide you need some additional assurance, then by all means use a threadlocker. And don't mess around with a light duty one. Use Loctite red. If you use an impact air gun to remove the bolts they will come right out, threadlocker or not. You don't even need to lock the crank when doing this. Impact is a great thing.

But you need to be very careful with the threadlocker application. Install all the bolts and tighten up firmly. Pull one out, give it a little threadlocker, reinstall, and torque. Repeat until all are done. One engine builder suggests putting the threadlocker on some small object, and dabbing it through the flywheel directly on the threads on the crank so the stuff never touches anything until the bolt's threads are already past the mounting faces..

Why all this trouble? Because you absolutely do not want any threadlocker to seep in between the crank end and the mounting face of the flywheel. Flywheels stay put because of the clamping pressure created by the bolts between these two faces. Threadlockers can disturb this clamped interface. You don't want that.

[arbita1]

I decided to go without the loctite. The flywheel is now installed. Thanks.