Flywheel clutch and clutch pressure plate combination

[40desoto]

I have never worked on a standard car before so I hope this question doesnt call for a 'thats obvious' answer.

I plan on using the bellhousing,starter and pressure plate  from my 251 Desoto engine  and a flywheel from a 230 engine.   This is all going into a 218 block.

I decided to use the lighter of the two flywheels because the heavier one came off of a 251 engine and has a bit more clearance between the motor and flywheel and easier access to mounting bolts. (They both mesh up perfect to the starter)

 

While reading the 1940 shop manual I noticed that the pressure plate and flywheel combination are aligned by marking on the flywheel and pressure plate. Since Im using parts from different motors my questions are;

 

- When getting the flywheel resurfaced do I need to also have the clutch pressure plate resurfaced?  I will be using a clutch from a 1986 S10  5 speed tranny

- Do I need to balance the flywheel? 

- Does the machine shop need to know what year, make and model the flywheel came out of in order to check specs? 

 

Any help suggestion are appreciated

 

 

 

[Dave72dt]

Resurfacing the flywheel should remove an equal amount over the entire surface so the balance should remain intact.  If your pressure plate looks like it needs to be machined, replace it and the disc instead.  I'd suggest a new disc and plate regardless.  I assume a T5 is going in since you want to use the s10 clutch.  If not, there are places that can do a very good job rebuilding the originals. 

 

Going to the machine shop with make , model and year is a good idea.  They'll need that to get the specs.

[Robert Horne]

Be sure and check your starter, to see if it will match with the flywheel you

will be using. Some starter have a different depth...

[40desoto]

Thank you Robert.  Yes everything regarding the flywheel, bellhousing, starter matched up. I was surprised because the flywheels looked different but when measured 2 to 4 times, installed and engaged the started it all matched up perfect.

[Robert Horne]

My 1936 Dodge starter, 218, and my 1956 starter, 230, will interchange,

was not sure about a 251 Desoto....

Edited January 16, 2014 by Robert Horne

[greg g]

check that the tooth count on the flywheels is the same.  If it is the starters should interchange.  However some of the crankshaft flanges are different thickness which puts the flywheel in a different position relative tot he bolted up starter.

[40desoto]

I have the following combinations. Mixed and matched them all on a workbench and they all seem to adapt just fine;

 

All parts from cars

 

Starters                 1940 Desoto manual,  1948 plymouth solenoid,  1941 dodge solenoid

 

Flywheel                1940 Desoto,  1948 plymouth

 

bellhousing            1940 Desoto,  1948 plymouth,

 

and surprisingly even though the starters mount on at different locations on the Bellhousing, and the flywheels look very different (bolt pattern, weight) everything seems to match up when installed

 

Does anyone happen to know if all car bellhousings for flathead 6's have the same distance from the trans mounting area to the flywheel? or Pilot?