I am trying to figure out what I can do for a flywheel on my 400 with a T5. Summit sells a balancer plate which sandwiches between the flywheel and crank which will allow me to use a neutral balance f-body T5 flywheel. The only problem is that the piece which goes between the flywheel and crank is 3/16" thick, which will move the clutch/pressure plate assembly back (away from the block) 3/16". If this happens, I do not know it the clutch fork will still work properly, im afraid it might hit the pressure plate housing.

So heres what I thought of. What if I use 3/16" thick washers on every tranny bolt that goes between the engine and bellhousing? This would effectively move the entire tranny back 3/16" to make up for the flywheel/clutch/pressure plate being moved back that far. Then the clutch fork should work properly. But what I am not sure of is will the tranny mount still line up with the crossmember? Torque arm? driveshaft? Do these things have 3/16" of slack in them to play with?

 

dont half *** it, just get a 400 flywheel and know it will be fine

 

I wish I could "just get a 400 flywheel" and be done with it, but the problem is the 400 was never available with a T5 so there is no original SBC 400 12.75"153 tooth flywheel. There is however a 14" 168 tooth flywheel which would work with a 4 speed which does me absolutely no good. I emailed competition machine of plano and they said they cannot balance the factory T5 flywheel without the crank its going on, so the only other option is to spend $375 on a custom centerforce flywheel.

Now maybe you can see why I am trying to think of any other options. So I will ask again. Would this work?

 

even if you get it done that T5 will have a very short life, the 400 is a torque monster and the T5 is not torque happy, might want to look into get a ST-10, muncie or T-56