<VV> Bolting a LM flywheel

[BobHelt@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/3/04 6:10:17 PM US Mountain Standard Time, 
jeightee@comcast.net writes:

> Also read the Tech Guide about 
> bolting the flywheel myself. I am thinking about doing this  and would 
> like to hear the pros and cons from someone that has done it before.

Hi John,
Easy enough. But may I suggest a little diagnostic work first. Before you 
broke the starter, did you notice a rattling noise from the flywheel at an idle 
speed? Maybe it would be a good idea to get the engine started and see if you 
have this noise. If you do, then see if it goes away when you depress the 
clutch pedal. If so then you probably have a bad FW. If no noise the FW is probably 
still good, but may fail in the future. If still not sure, remove the FW and 
while holding it on edge, tap it with a hammer. If is goes thud then it's bad.

Now, before you drill out any rivets, drill the head off of just one and 
using a punch tap the rivet out from the FW. Inspect the rivet. Is it whole, or 
does it have a groove worn on the side (cutting it into two pieces)? You may 
even have a problem getting the rivet out if this groove is deep because it will 
cause the rivet to hang up. The trick is to jiggle the parts of the FW to get 
then to line up so the rivit will easily enter and be removed. When that 
happens, then the FW is back to its original position. If not, then the FW may be 
unbalanced and will vibrate when installed.

Once the pieces of the Fw are all lined up (i.e., aligned) then see if a 1/4 
inch bolt will fit Ok. In fact if this is a LM FW, you can tap the FW and 
thread the bolt into that hole. A nut will be nice add'l security. Be sure to use 
the bolts supplied by Clark's so that the heads don't hit the bolts holding 
the bell housing on. If you use standard bolts the heads will probably hit. If 
these bolts are too loose, then go to 5/16 in. bolts and do the same. If all 
goes as described, the Fw should remain in balance. If not you will have to have 
it rebalanced.
Good Luck,
Bob Helt