How to Identify a Chevy Small Block Flywheel
by Floyd Drake III
Flywheels are mounted to the rear of the engine on manual shift vehicles -- just before the clutch assembly and transmission -- and are covered by the bellhousing. The primary purpose of the flywheel is to provide momentum for the running engine; it must be properly balanced. The secondary purpose is to mate with the starter motor; this allow the starter motor to crank the engine. Installing the wrong flywheel can cause severe engine damage.
Step 1
Measure the diameter of the flywheel with a machinist's ruler. According to Jam Performance Transmissions, the flywheel sizes for small-block Chevrolet engines are the 12.75 inch and the 14 inch. The14-inch flywheel is used on the 400 cubic-inch small-block and big-block Chevrolet engines.
Step 2
Count the gear teeth on the perimeter of the flywheel. The 12.75-inch flywheel has 153 teeth; the 14-inch flywheel has 168 teeth. The only small-block Chevrolet engine that uses the 14-inch, 168-tooth flywheel is the 400 cubic-inch.
Step 3
Look for a counterweight. All Chevrolet small-blocks are internally balanced, with the exception of the 400 cubic-inch small-block, the 400 cubic-inch engine-flywheel has a counterweight mounted to the flywheel plate.
Step 4
Determine the flywheel-flange bolt pattern. These are the bolt holes found around the center of the flywheel. According to GM Parts Direct, 1955 to 1985 small-block Chevrolet flywheels have a 3.58-inch bolt pattern, whereas 1986 and later flywheels have a 3-inch bolt pattern. Determine the bolt pattern by measuring the distance between the bolt holes. Some 350 cubic-inch and smaller engine-flywheels have bolt holes to accommodate both patterns
References
Tips
- Small-block Chevrolet engines include displacements of 265 to 400 cubic-inches, with the exception of the Chevrolet 396 cubic-inch, which is considered a big block engine.
Things You'll Need
- Machinist's ruler
Writer Bio
A native of New Haven, Conn., Floyd Drake III began writing in 1984. His work has appeared in the "New Haven Register," Medford's "Mail-Tribune" and the "Ashland Daily Tidings." Drake studied journalism at Southern Connecticut State University. After working as a reporter in Oregon, he is now based back home in New Haven.
