The guy who built my motor used a flywheel from a truck t-5 tranny. He said it was much thicker so when they balance the motor there is some material to remove. Here is my problem, I want to get a t-56 out of a 94-97 f-body so what do I do with the flywheel? If I buy an externally balanced flywheel, I imagine 153 tooth, it still is not balanced like my t-5 wheel.

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'91 Formula
383CI Supercharged
5-speed
3.42
12.34@117.04
on Drag Radials

 

Centerforce makes an externally balanced flywheel for the t-56.

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1992 Pontiac Firebird 350/Six Speed
1987 Toyota Pickup 383/500+ HP

 

I know they make an externally balanced flywheel. What I'm asking is when the guy built my motor he balanced the flywheel(removed some material by drilling 1/2 holes in the back of the wheel)when he balanced the motor. So if I get a new flywheel, will those holes need to be duplicated on the new flywheel to keep my balance?

------------------
'91 Formula
383CI Supercharged
5-speed
3.42
12.34@117.04
on Drag Radials

 

Can I just get an externally balanced flywheel, and not worry about the material removed from the flywheel? The original harmonic balancer broke, which was balanced with the rotating assembly when the engine was built, so I don't have that any more, so I figure it is out of balance already. What do you guys think.

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'91 Formula
383CI Supercharged
5-speed
3.42
12.34@117.04
on Drag Radials

 

You shouldn't have to worry about the flywheel because he probably removed the material because the stock flywheels arn't 'dead on' and prior surfacing/milling may have unbalenced it somehow. The aftermarket piece you need should go on w/o any problems.

If it's a serious race piece and something I never heard of (balancing the flywheel with the crank and damper) possibly it was done to balance the crank. I say I never heard of this being done and it should have been done, but anything is possible..... That material should have been taken away/added to the counterweights.

 

I am wondering if you have to buy a balancer and a flywheel? If the motor is not apart can't you get the pieces to fit your combo if it is externaly balanced? I am only asking , no sarcacism here. I think an internally balanced motor is best deal but ya know opinions....

 

Supposedly it is better to internally balance 383 and 400 motors because it makes them more stable and wears the front and rear bearings less. Some forged cranks for 383's are meant to be internally balanced, but stock cast and 400 cranks could be internally balanced by using mallory metal in the process, but this is very costly...

 

Here's what you do:

Take your original and new flywheels to your local balance shop and have them match-balanced. Explain that you're replacing one with the other on a previously-balanced engine and they'll match them up for you.