Flywheel Bolts Not going On Help

[55 Fargo]

Hi, went to put on my nice machined flywheel, it is an 8 bolt crank, I was only able to get 6 bolts through flywheel and crank, the other 2 no way, tried everything. What am I doing wrong, any ideas anyone, do I need the 8 bolts on, or could I live with 6, the 2 that aren't going on aren't side by side. Not sure what to do, man are my hands and body sore from trying to get this corrected.........Thanx in advance Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

Try leaving all the bolts loose so the flywheel is sitting sloppy in the bolt holes. Once all 8 are in, then tighten them down.

[Ed Griffin]

Put a piece of paper against the holes and mark them then transfer that to the other and see where the pattern is, think it only goes on one way.

[55 Fargo]

I have tried this with the bolts on sloppy, the flywheel even move around and back and forth, the 2 remaining bolts would not go on. the 8 bolts, appear to be an even pattern, but on the 2 bolt holes, the alignment is out, the 6 other bolts slipped in very easily.........Fred

[Ed Griffin]

If this is'nt mentioned in the tech tips it wouldnt be a bad idea to put it there since it does get asked and its usually after someone has had to wrestle with it before they get it figured out here or at home.

I dont know about you guys but the less wrestling I have to do the better. When I started to do this I used my cherry picker with a home made cradle to hold the flywheel/fluid drive and cranked it up close enough to where once I figured out that there was a pattern all I had to do was rotate it while in the cradle until it lined up. Thinking back on it I would have done as I try to suggest and just use the paper to find the pattern and make a mark on both parts so it lines right up. If you know it has a pattern to begin with best bet is to mark before breaking it apart. Same as you would the drive shaft.

[Don Coatney]

As mentioned the flywheel will only mate to the crankshaft one way so all eight holes align. You must remove it and start over. Once you find the right combination use a center punch and paint stick to mark the location so you will not have this problem the next time you remove the flywheel.

[55 Fargo]

Thanx A lot fellers, what is the best way to correct this now, should I just turn the flywheel around on the crank, till it lines up with the proper holes. I really appreciate your help guys........Fred

[Don Coatney]

what is the best way to correct this now

Do what Ed Griffin suggested.

[Plymouthy Adams]

On Mopar even till now this is true and same on the front harmonic bolted pulleys..offset..don't forget that you can put LA pulleys on the big block with the enlongation of just one bolt hole...excellent for shortening the overall length and getting 4 pulleys for accessories...(center hole same diameter)

[55 Fargo]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, got em on, pulled flywheel off, looked at pattern and the pattern on the crank, sat in the floor hole. It took 3 to 4 tries to line up the holes, I did it by eyesight, on the 4th try, all the bolts went in, likity split. I had to tape the back of the bolt to the flywheel, in order to put the nuts on, it was like doing surgery, it took an hour, but there all on. Thanx guys for letting me know about the pattern............Fred

[Don Coatney]

Hope you marked things so the next time you dont fight this battle again.

[55 Fargo]

haven't yet but wil before it all sewed up......................Fred