New flywheel balanced to match balance sheet?

[Keith Stevens]

I had the engine balanced with an aluminum flywheel. I am starting to think I lost a bit of torque/inertia out of the hole with a 13lb flywheel.
Would the consensus be that a steel flywheel change be beneficial to out of the hole response? Or do I stay with the aluminum?

[blykins]

Depends on the entire combo, but there is a considerable difference in rotating momentum.  In a Shelby Cobra replica with a higher strung 428 and a 3.70 gear, I found myself having to slip the clutch a little more to get going with the aluminum flywheel.

[e philpott]

Of course you lost some momentum with a 13 lbs flywheel on clutch drop  , the beauty of it is you will be less likely too blow the tires off on a high rpm clutch drops and the light wheel recovers quicker if you do spin the tire and allows the engine to rev much quicker , I run a 13 pounder on a 3600 pound Fairlane at the moment with 3.70 gear and don't find myself slipping the clutch like Brent did to get going

[blykins]

Of course you lost some momentum with a 13 lbs flywheel on clutch drop  , the beauty of it is you will be less likely too blow the tires off on a high rpm clutch drops and the light wheel recovers quicker if you do spin the tire and allows the engine to rev much quicker , I run a 13 pounder on a 3600 pound Fairlane at the moment with 3.70 gear and don't find myself slipping the clutch like Brent did to get going

And that's why I said what I did about the entire combination.   The 428 in my Cobra was high strung and didn't like to be pulled down at all.   Makes it a little rougher taking off with a light flywheel.  Plus I live in a rural area with lots of stop lights and stop signs on hills, etc. 

[e philpott]

I run a 416 with 266/276 at .050 on a 108 and still don't notice a problem in my heavy car but I am good on my feet and have a steady leg , my car sure was finicky when my son drove it for the first time but that's another story

[blykins]

I run a 416 with 266/276 at .050 on a 108 and still don't notice a problem in my heavy car but I am good on my feet and have a steady leg , my car sure was finicky when my son drove it for the first time but that's another story

I've got a stoplight on a hill with your name on it....

[gdaddy01]

that is when you need the parking brake handle between the front seats , don't know what to do with bench seat .

[cjshaker]

I run a 416 with 266/276 at .050 on a 108 and still don't notice a problem in my heavy car but I am good on my feet and have a steady leg , my car sure was finicky when my son drove it for the first time but that's another story

I've got a stoplight on a hill with your name on it....

And to make it worse, there will always be an idiot that pulls right up to your rear bumper. Happens to me all the time. And then there's the tailgaters who about rear-end you when shifting gears from a dead stop....and then curse at you like it's your fault they almost hit you while looking down at their phone when you shift. There's no shortage of idiots in this world.

[e philpott]

I would have no problem on the hill , innocent by-standers wouldn't like the scream of that Sof Loc clutch during the process

[JamesonRacing]

I have a McLeod aluminum wheel on my 465/TKO.  I love the quick revs and overall feel.  Would never go back to steel.

[475fetoploader]

I think before burnouts were cool, the line lock was made for hills. I think the first one I bought said roll control on the Hurst box.

[RustyCrankshaft]

I think before burnouts were cool, the line lock was made for hills. I think the first one I bought said roll control on the Hurst box.

The "LeverLoc" was around in the early 40's at least and was for exactly that - a hill holder. My grandfather used to have a garbage truck with one (which as I recall was a 39 Ford 2 ton), and I've seen some pretty old ones (both mechanical and solenoid operated) when I was building tow trucks. The exact point they became a race car thing is probably lost to posterity, but they weren't created for burnouts...just a really great use for them!

[Nightmist66]

I run a 416 with 266/276 at .050 on a 108 and still don't notice a problem in my heavy car but I am good on my feet and have a steady leg , my car sure was finicky when my son drove it for the first time but that's another story

I don't want to derail this thread, but I'm really interested in your setup. With that cam, in a 3600lb car with a 3.70 rear gear and an aluminum wheel, I wouldn't think it would be very nice to start out from a stop unless the trans has a "decent" first gear. Which trans are you running?

[475fetoploader]

I’m buying an Aluminum flywheel, because of this thread. I’ve been in debate with myself, but now it’s settled. The Fairlane gets an aluminum flywheel.

[StarlinerRon]

You have to look at the total combo. Car weight, 1st gear ratio and rear gears. Also rear tire diameter will influence your choices,

A close ratio top loader is generally only good for road racing. Street or drag cars need between 2.78 and 3.00 1st gears.

A good starting point is a flywheel weight about 1% of car weight ie: 4000=40 lbs.

My Starliner had a 2.32 & 4.11 when I bought it and it was sluggish. A switch to 2.78, 4.57's, 40 lb wheel and 29.5x9" tires and it felt like it was shot out of a cannon.

Good luck,

Ron.