What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Stroker flywheel/flex plate identificaiton

MTMike

MTMike

1/2 ton status
Joined
Feb 10, 2005
Posts
2,987
Reaction score
0
Location
Billings, Montana
My truck has a 383 stroker in it, built up by the previous owner. I've pulled the Turbo 400 out and plan on replacing it with a 465. I need to order the flywheel for the swap, but I'm not sure how to tell if my 383 is built with a stroker kit crank and is internally balanced, or if it's externally balanced.

Does anybody have any pictures or guides on how to tell? The flex plate is still on the engine.

Thanks,
 
Easy to tell if it's externally balanced by looking for the "balance weight" that will be on the engine side of the flexplate. Most stroker 383's are externally balanced still. It takes expensive mallory weight to internally balance a 383 and most people don't want to spend that extra cash.
 
4x4hi..i know this, but how come you can't go oppisite where it needs the mallory and remove weight, do same thing? i have a thread coming for you also, its about building a custom engine..i will hail you
 
blazin_blazer said:
4x4hi..i know this, but how come you can't go oppisite where it needs the mallory and remove weight, do same thing? i have a thread coming for you also, its about building a custom engine..i will hail you
Click to expand...

If you're talking about an internally balanced engine and removing weight opposite of where mallory weight would need to be the problem is there is nothing there to remove weight from. One side of the crank has a counter weight and the other side is a crankpin for the rod and you cannot remove material from the crankpin and even if you could it is too close to the center of the crank and it won't make a difference.
 
yes thats what i was thinking, remove material like they do the weight lightning holes making the rod journal like a pipe, but just take out the amount necessary
 
4X4HIGH said:
Easy to tell if it's externally balanced by looking for the "balance weight" that will be on the engine side of the flexplate. Most stroker 383's are externally balanced still. It takes expensive mallory weight to internally balance a 383 and most people don't want to spend that extra cash.
Click to expand...

Yes, it looks like there's a small stick-on weight on the flexplate on the engine side. Could that be transferred to the same location on a new flywheel?
 
You need a flywheel from a 400 SBC. The 400 SBC is externally balanced and the weight is cast into the flywheel. If the original builder of this 383 balanced it correctly you won't have any troubles. But on the other hand, if he didn't balance it correctly then you're screwed and will have to take the engine completely apart and HOPE that some machine shop is willing to help you get it balanced correctly with a flywheel.
 
4X4HIGH said:
You need a flywheel from a 400 SBC. The 400 SBC is externally balanced and the weight is cast into the flywheel. If the original builder of this 383 balanced it correctly you won't have any troubles. But on the other hand, if he didn't balance it correctly then you're screwed and will have to take the engine completely apart and HOPE that some machine shop is willing to help you get it balanced correctly with a flywheel.
Click to expand...

The engine was built by a professional mechanic so I would assume that it's built properly. So the 400SBC Flywheel has the external weight cast into it already and theoretically I shouldn't need to add weights to the flywheel? And if the engine is built properly, and I get the 400 flywheel, it should bolt on and go?

Thanks
 
Do you know what year this engine is? Hopefully it's a 1985 and earlier with the two piece rear main seal. If not then you're screwed because the one piece seal main engines use a different bolt pattern and the 400 SBC flywheel won't bolt on.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Do you know what year this engine is? Hopefully it's a 1985 and earlier with the two piece rear main seal. If not then you're screwed because the one piece seal main engines use a different bolt pattern and the 400 SBC flywheel won't bolt on.
Click to expand...

I'm 99.8% sure it's a pre-86 engine. It's got a driver-side dipstick like my old '79 had. When I had the oil pan off 3 years ago I vaguely remember it being a 2-peice. When I pull the flexplate off I'll make 100% sure.

Thanks for your help & input
 
People do use them but i would never use one. That goes between the crank and flywheel so it moves the flywheel backwards about .125" (1/8") which means the starter bendix gear engages the ring gear by that much less. Why not just buy the proper flywheel?
 
4X4HIGH said:
People do use them but i would never use one. That goes between the crank and flywheel so it moves the flywheel backwards about .125" (1/8") which means the starter bendix gear engages the ring gear by that much less. Why not just buy the proper flywheel?
Click to expand...

I just figured it would help keep the budget in line. I'd rather spend the extra $ and make sure I get a good setup, but I wanted your opinion

I pulled the flexplate off today

Rear:
normal_P1010002%7E9.JPG


Front:
normal_P1010001%7E8.JPG


Crank output:
normal_P1010004%7E9.JPG


I assume the weight on the back of the flexplate is the external balancing weight?
 
MTMike said:
I just figured it would help keep the budget in line. I'd rather spend the extra $ and make sure I get a good setup, but I wanted your opinion

I pulled the flexplate off today

Rear:
normal_P1010002%7E9.JPG


Front:
normal_P1010001%7E8.JPG


Crank output:
normal_P1010004%7E9.JPG


I assume the weight on the back of the flexplate is the external balancing weight?
Click to expand...

That would be correct. Now go find yourself a 400 SBC flywheel.

Here you go.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=HAY-10-132&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=RAM-1523&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=RAM-1423&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CTF-700180&autoview=sku
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom