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  •  » Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

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    12/15/2021 9:17 AM  #1

    mustangermike
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    From: Cleburne
    Registered: 4/13/2017
    Posts: 204

    Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    Some of y'all may know that I'm installing a new clutch into my stock s197.  While this isn't an s197 forum the question I have to ask definitely relates to our classics as well.  So here it is: I have had a number of folks tell me to NOT resurface (grind on a flywheel resurface machine) my old flywheel.  They say without a doubt to buy new.  The flywheel definitely has hot spots and what not, but I see no cracks.  Thoughts?
     

    Owner of MustangSteve - 1967 Mustang Coupe 302, 2005 Mustang GT
     

    12/15/2021 9:25 AM  #2

    TremendousWand
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    Registered: 5/16/2013
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    I machined my flywheel when I dropped my tranny to replace the rear main seal.  If it's not compromised, then save a few bucks and get it machined.  Reason a lot of people probably recommend just buying a new one is that a new fly wheel is pretty cheap these days.  I had to go to 4 places to even find an old machinist that even could machine a flywheel.  Even machining rotors, which used to be super common, isn't even offered by a lot of the chain stores anymore like autozone, oriely's, napa.  A few still do it but most don't anymore.  

     

    12/15/2021 9:26 AM  #3

    Bentworker
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    Registered: 9/17/2017
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    Is the flywheel stepped or flat?  As long as the grinder is competent it should be good.  Sometimes a stepped flywheel can be a bear to grind both the friction surface and where the pressure plate clamps.

     

    12/15/2021 9:44 AM  #4

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    This is a “throw away” society we live in these days.
    If there are no cracks, have it refinished, as long as it cleans up to minimum specs thickness.
    I would prefer a ground surface rather than one done on a lathe.
    Production flywheels are done on a “Blanchard” grinder, when I had a job I used one almost daily.

    Last edited by Rudi (12/15/2021 9:49 AM)

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    12/15/2021 10:26 AM  #5

    josh-kebob
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    From: Madison, AL
    Registered: 4/06/2013
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    The machine shop will tell you if it can be resurfaced or not.

     

    12/15/2021 10:32 AM  #6

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    Not resurfacing is foolish if there's enough meat there and its not cracked.  I would always resurface it rather than replace.  I'll also add that depending on where you get a new flywheel it may not be flat out of the box.  I usually pay $50 to get a flywheel ground and at most I might wait a day for it.  The thing about heat and iron is that iron "seasons" with heat.  Its why a used block is a better foundation than a new one because its been thermocycled enough to be stable.  New iron parts move around a bit until they take a set from thermocycling. 

     

    12/15/2021 10:33 AM  #7

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    josh-kebob wrote:

    The machine shop will tell you if it can be resurfaced or not.

     

    What he^^^^^^sez!
    6s6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    12/15/2021 11:17 AM  #8

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    josh-kebob wrote:

    The machine shop will tell you if it can be resurfaced or not.

    Bingo!
    Especially if it's a Ford flywheel. If it's a chicom, not so much.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    12/15/2021 3:19 PM  #9

    Rufus68
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    From: Knoxville, TN
    Registered: 4/26/2017
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    The clutch shop I took a flywheel to explained to me that it has to be ground because the metal develops different hardness areas due to heat.  These differences in hardness will not cut properly on a lathe but won't matter to a grinding stone.

    1968 T-code Coupe with a 302.  Nice car, no show stopper for sure, but I like it.
     

    12/15/2021 4:08 PM  #10

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    To add to the above...........
    Needs to be ground not machined and...if they remove a pound or two, so much the better!
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    12/15/2021 6:10 PM  #11

    RV6
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    From: Pine Junction, CO
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    The local NAPA resurfaces flywheels up here.

    Last edited by RV6 (12/15/2021 6:10 PM)

    Gary Zilik - Pine Junction, Colorado - 67 Coupe, 289-4V, T5
     

    12/15/2021 7:43 PM  #12

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    I’ve been more than satisfied with my reground factory flywheel.

     

    12/16/2021 11:21 AM  #13

    Glens 1965 50
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    From: Tomball,Tx
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    I'm in the ford flywheel...grind crowd.

     

    12/18/2021 1:47 PM  #14

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    What reason was given for not resurfacing the flywheel?
    Around here, there any many machine shops anymore, I had to go to 'truck' related shop to resurface the flywheel for my Mustang.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    12/19/2021 9:07 AM  #15

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    BobE wrote:

    What reason was given for not resurfacing the flywheel?
    Around here, there any many machine shops anymore, I had to go to 'truck' related shop to resurface the flywheel for my Mustang.

    If you can't find a place try looking for an Associated Truck Parts in your area.  I believe they are a national chain.  They also can make and balance driveshafts so long as they are steel.
     

     

    12/19/2021 6:08 PM  #16

    Rufus68
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    From: Knoxville, TN
    Registered: 4/26/2017
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    I looked at the Associated Truck Parts website and they are limited to DE, NJ, and PA.

    1968 T-code Coupe with a 302.  Nice car, no show stopper for sure, but I like it.
     

    12/19/2021 6:51 PM  #17

    josh-kebob
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    From: Madison, AL
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    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    mustangermike wrote:

    Some of y'all may know that I'm installing a new clutch into my stock s197.  While this isn't an s197 forum the question I have to ask definitely relates to our classics as well.  So here it is: I have had a number of folks tell me to NOT resurface (grind on a flywheel resurface machine) my old flywheel.  They say without a doubt to buy new.  The flywheel definitely has hot spots and what not, but I see no cracks.  Thoughts?
     

    Johnson County machine shop can resurface it....go

     

    12/20/2021 7:38 AM  #18

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,498

    Re: Flywheel . . . To resurface or not to resurface

    Rufus68 wrote:

    I looked at the Associated Truck Parts website and they are limited to DE, NJ, and PA.

    Good to know.
     

     

     

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