Cracking in flywheel face

[EricP]

Stock Pinto flywheel friction surface has about 6 little cracks starting. One in pic is the worst. I’m at 0.1015” and I understand I could machine as low as 0.0800. Correct? Do I need to do that? Use as-is? Or junk?

Thanks in advance.

[R. Pare]

Junk. Toss it as far away as you can.

[EricP]

Junk. Toss it as far away as you can.

[DaveW]

Stock Pinto flywheel friction surface has about 6 little cracks starting. One in pic is the worst. I’m at 0.1015” and I understand I could machine as low as 0.0800. Correct? Do I need to do that? Use as-is? Or junk?

Thanks in advance.

Richard is correct. You don't want to play Russian roulette with that. If it would explode, it wouldn't be pretty.

[EricP]

Richard is correct. You don't want to play Russian roulette with that. If it would explode, it wouldn't be pretty.

Thx. that’s what I was afraid of and why I asked.

Where do folks get their flywheels?

I do have this that came from a VD but won’t work with the Citation... it’s an Elite I think:

[EricP]

Pic:

[R. Pare]

I’m at 0.1015” and I understand I could machine as low as 0.0800..

For the crack to show up as that wide at the surface, it has to go a LOT deeper than that .0215 cleanup would get you to.

As to a replacement, call any of the engine builders, and if the Citation flywheel is different than the VD for some reason ( the only thing I can think of would be the ring gear), they can all address that for you.

[tlracer]

As above, the most likely difference is the number of teeth on the ring gear. I believe Citation uses 110, with a 10-tooth starter pinion, rather than 135 which your possible replacement flywheel has currently.

You should be able to get that swapped out easily and replace the worryingly cracked one!

[EricP]

As above, the most likely difference is the number of teeth on the ring gear. I believe Citation uses 110, with a 10-tooth starter pinion, rather than 135 which your possible replacement flywheel has currently.

You should be able to get that swapped out easily and replace the worryingly cracked one!

Yep, the cracked one appears to be 110 teeth, kinda rounded too. The nice one pictured is really nice but too big, from a VD, 135 teeth I think. I’m reaching out for possibilities...

THX!

[Steve Demeter]

Sharp eye to catch that Eric!!!!

[EricP]

Sharp eye to catch that Eric!!!!

I guess but I keep finding rabbit holes like this to go down. Better than having it come apart later...

[tlracer]

Yep, the cracked one appears to be 110 teeth, kinda rounded too. The nice one pictured is really nice but too big, from a VD, 135 teeth I think. I’m reaching out for possibilities...

THX!

Unless the new one has the teeth machined from solid, the usual practice is that the ring gear is shrunk on. Providing the seat is the correct diameter, it should be a straightforward job to have the 135-tooth ring removed and a 110-tooth version fitted to replace it.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

What rules are you working with?
Scca means the Elite aluminum or a lightened stock steel.

Turbo sport has a variety of weights.... they list some on ebay.
https://www.turbosport.net/product-c...let-flywheels/
You'll probably have to order one without a ring gear.

JAE has the 110 tooth ring gears. I think I paid $40.
http://www.jaeparts.com/

I pulled a 135 and swapped in a 110 in about an hour. (put the 110 in the oven before starting).
Then had a shop balance it.

[tlracer]

Redline Engines supplied me with a steel flywheel,110-tooth:

http://www.redlineengines.com/

Price was GB£175 including the ring gear and fitting it.

[EricP]

SCCA. 10.5# and stock or Elite (as I remember it)...

[billtebbutt]

[tlracer]

Eric - I guess you're sorted now with this, but there is a lightened, 110-tooth stock Ford flywheel on eBay UK drilled for Tilton 7.25" clutch. I have a feeling I know this part as it looks very much like one I sold recently.