Flywheel during clutch replacement

[Flade]

Just pulled the tranny to swap the clutch on my wife’s 98 GT. The clutch is shot, but the fly wheel is nice and smooth with no grooves. You can still see a bit of the swirl marks from when it was originally turned. None of the auto shops around here turn flywheels any more and they don’t stock them for this car either. They seem to only be special order. I can order one from summit, NPD, or LMR, but I wanted to finish up this weekend.

Can I just clean the flywheel and use it as is? Do I need to roughen it up a bit so the clutch grabs better? Do I wait until Mon and see if a trans shop or Machine shop is open To get it turned, or do I just go ahead and order a new one?

What‘s the current thinking for these?

 

[96blak54]

Discolored hot spots, usually raised and can be felt rubbing your fingers over them. If you feal raised bumps, itll need to be ground.

The judgement call is yours. If it were me, id wait to get it done right, considering i just spent the coin replacing a toasted clutch....may as well do it all up right and be prepared to go another 100k miles

 

[DKblue98GT]

I wouldn't risk it... Just get it turned.

 

[Flade]

I wouldn't risk it... Just get it turned.

That’s my plan if I can find a place that still does it on Monday. BTW, what size tires and rims are you running?

 

[DKblue98GT]

17x9 &10.5 with 255/40/17 and 315/35/17

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[Flade]

17x9 &10.5 with 255/40/17 and 315/35/17

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Perfect, those are exactly the rim sizes I have (American Muscle Bullit rims). And it’s the loo’ I am going for. I’m planning the 315/35/17 on the rear, wasn’t sure what size for the front. Now I know.

 

[DKblue98GT]

I just realized in that pic the car has 275/40/17 in the front. I put FR500"s on it a few years ago...

 

[Flade]

I just realized in that pic the car has 275/40/17 in the front. I put FR500"s on it a few years ago...

How much different did the 275 vs 255 make? Why did you switch?

 

[Flade]

Back to the original issue, the decision turned out to be easy

Seems the flywheel has Hairline cracks.

So now where to find a replacement


LMR has th Ford Performance Flywheel for $295


Summit has McLeod for $280


Summit also has Fidanza Nodular Iron Flywheel for $173.


I assume the Ford one is good. Does anyone have experience with the Fidenza flywheels? The claim to be better than the OEM.

 

[DKblue98GT]

I honestly can't remember why I went with 255's. I'm going back to 275's next time...

If the car is mostly stock I would get this one.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-6375-d46/make/ford

I had one in my 98 GT and it worked fine.

 

[Flade]

I honestly can't remember why I went with 255's. I'm going back to 275's next time...

If the car is mostly stock I would get this one.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-6375-d46/make/ford

I had one in my 98 GT and it worked fine.

Weird, that one doesn’t show up when I do a search for a 98 Mustang Flywheel, but they have them in stock, and when you click on it they say they are for 96-98 4.6L.

 

[Paladin1001]

Echoing here, yes you need a flywheel. I got a smokin' deal through Amazon on a Ford Racing one when I did my daughter's 98 GT. I had ordered one through Summit but I cancelled it when I found it cheaper through Amazon. I called them to see if they could match it and they couldn't. I don't remember how much I paid but it was way cheaper than anywhere else.

 

[Flade]

Mines at the machine shop today. We’ll see what they say after getting into it. If it’s bad, then I’ll get the Ford Performance one from Summitt

 

[joe65]

yes fidanza is a good brand. been around for a long time and their flywheels are known to be good.

 

[Flade]

Well I got lucky and the flywheel was fine and Th e machine shop had no trouble turning it.

 

[96blak54]

Good deal. Its good that you waited to do it right

 

[Flade]

I am glad too. It was the right thing to do

 

[DKblue98GT]

Did you get it back together yet?

 

[Daryl]

To finalize my recent 347 stroker build, I had a McCloud clutch and 23-tooth steel flywheel (more streetable than aluminum) installed. Seemed silly to install basically a new motor with inferior clutch/flywheel.
Just my unsolicited $.02!!

on edit: I saw AFTER I posted that you were able to get the flywheel turned. Good on ya! Should be fine. And, FWIW, I’m also running FR500 17x9/10.5’s with 275/40 and 315/35’s on my ‘95 Cobra.

 

[Flade]

To finalize my recent 347 stroker build, I had a McCloud clutch and 23-tooth steel flywheel (more streetable than aluminum) installed. Seemed silly to install basically a new motor with inferior clutch/flywheel.
Just my unsolicited $.02!!

on edit: I saw AFTER I posted that you were able to get the flywheel turned. Good on ya! Should be fine. And, FWIW, I’m also running FR500 17x9/10.5’s with 275/40 and 315/35’s on my ‘95 Cobra.

Thanks!