428 Flywheel and Clutch

[happystang]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at choosing a flywheel and clutch- engine is a standard 428 (Non CJ or SCJ), however I'm using a CJ bell housing behind a close ratio top loader from a 1968 390 mustang (1 1/16" input shaft). I'm using an aftermarket stock style 428 harmonic balancer. It's a relatively mild build with Edelbrock heads/intake and Lunati hydraulic roller cam- I'm not expecting to beat the snot out of it  .

I was looking at this flywheel:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hay-12-242/overview/make/ford

And this clutch:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mcl-75112/overview/make/ford

Am I good to go with these parts? Thank you!

IMG_7864.JPG by armon7, on Flickr

[blykins]

Flywheel will work, but I think you'll run out of clutch.  That clutch is just a little heavier than stock, rated for 400 hp.

I'd use a RAM 88769HDX, which is an 11" Long, rated for 450 hp.  That would be a good street clutch.  If you think you will be beating the snot out of at all, then I'd upgrade the clutch. 

[happystang]

Flywheel will work, but I think you'll run out of clutch.  That clutch is just a little heavier than stock, rated for 400 hp.

I'd use a RAM 88769HDX, which is an 11" Long, rated for 450 hp.  That would be a good street clutch.  If you think you will be beating the snot out of at all, then I'd upgrade the clutch.

Brent,

Am I stuck using the 3 finger style clutch? I was hoping to stick with a diaphragm clutch, twin disc is out of the budget (and frankly way overkill).

[fryedaddy]

not trying to hijack your topic but while were talking 428 clutch and flywheels,i have a 428 newly rebuilt that i need a clutch and flywheel for.the machine shop internally balanced my crank so i could use a common 390-427 flywheel.i have a stock 428 damper on the front,and i have a 390 gt bell housing with the hump on it.engine has close to 500 hp.what flywheel,clutch and t.o. bearing should i use for street strip.3500 pound car,4.11 gears.any recommendations appreciated.i have 2 390 gt flywheels. would they be ok to use?

[Rory428]

Brent,

Am I stuck using the 3 finger style clutch? I was hoping to stick with a diaphragm clutch, twin disc is out of the budget (and frankly way overkill).
[/quote]
For what its worth, I have a McLeod steel flywheel & "Street Pro ''11'' clutch behind the 428 CJ in my 59, with a wide ratio Toploader (small input). I used the #75111 Long style version, and although I have not got the car driveable yet, I don`t find the clutch pedal to be very hard to depress. Personally, if you are not launching the car hard on slicks, and have any decent rear gear ratio, a Street Pro should be fine, especially with the wide ratio trans.I have had pretty good luck with mild clutches, even running 12 second 1/4 miles on a $159.00 Dyna Pack stock replacement clutch that was in the car for 5 years of daily driving and frequent weekend drag racing, and was still working fine when I sold the car.

[blykins]

Flywheel will work, but I think you'll run out of clutch.  That clutch is just a little heavier than stock, rated for 400 hp.

I'd use a RAM 88769HDX, which is an 11" Long, rated for 450 hp.  That would be a good street clutch.  If you think you will be beating the snot out of at all, then I'd upgrade the clutch.

Brent,

Am I stuck using the 3 finger style clutch? I was hoping to stick with a diaphragm clutch, twin disc is out of the budget (and frankly way overkill).

No, you’re certainly not stuck with it but I try to put the correct pressure plate style with the age of vehicle.  A diaphragm pressure plate is actually a GM pressure plate and although you can make it work, there are some things you have to do differently to make them work without issue.

A common misunderstanding is that all Long pressure plates are hard to push and all diaphragm plates are easy.  That’s completely false and 3000 lb pressure plates from the 60’s don’t exist anymore.

You’d be very pleased with the pedal pressure on the ones I recommended and you wouldn’t have to worry about the adjustment or overcentering the pressure plate.

My rule of thumb is always have a safety factor on clutch capacity and I think the 400 hp setup just wouldn’t be prudent for you.

[blykins]

not trying to hijack your topic but while were talking 428 clutch and flywheels,i have a 428 newly rebuilt that i need a clutch and flywheel for.the machine shop internally balanced my crank so i could use a common 390-427 flywheel.i have a stock 428 damper on the front,and i have a 390 gt bell housing with the hump on it.engine has close to 500 hp.what flywheel,clutch and t.o. bearing should i use for street strip.3500 pound car,4.11 gears.any recommendations appreciated.i have 2 390 gt flywheels. would they be ok to use?

What transmission? 

I wouldn't use any factory flywheel for anything with rpms or horsepower.  With 500 hp, you need a new billet steel flywheel from RAM, McLeod, etc. 

[blykins]

Flywheel will work, but I think you'll run out of clutch.  That clutch is just a little heavier than stock, rated for 400 hp.

I'd use a RAM 88769HDX, which is an 11" Long, rated for 450 hp.  That would be a good street clutch.  If you think you will be beating the snot out of at all, then I'd upgrade the clutch.

Brent,

Am I stuck using the 3 finger style clutch? I was hoping to stick with a diaphragm clutch, twin disc is out of the budget (and frankly way overkill).

BTW, I see your RC planes hanging and it brings back old/good memories.  I'd like to get back into that. 

[fryedaddy]

not trying to hijack your topic but while were talking 428 clutch and flywheels,i have a 428 newly rebuilt that i need a clutch and flywheel for.the machine shop internally balanced my crank so i could use a common 390-427 flywheel.i have a stock 428 damper on the front,and i have a 390 gt bell housing with the hump on it.engine has close to 500 hp.what flywheel,clutch and t.o. bearing should i use for street strip.3500 pound car,4.11 gears.any recommendations appreciated.i have 2 390 gt flywheels. would they be ok to use?

What transmission? 

I wouldn't use any factory flywheel for anything with rpms or horsepower.  With 500 hp, you need a new billet steel flywheel from RAM, McLeod, etc.

toploader close ratio big in and output.i need pretty much everything except bell housing,unless i need a better bell too.i dont have to have the best money can buy,but im not cheap either.my crank being internally balanced,does that mean i need a 390 flywheel or something else.

[blykins]

You need an internal balanced flywheel but with 500 hp I wouldn’t go cast, I’d go billet.