Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

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Chris Bamford
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Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Chris Bamford » Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:11 pm

We are replacing my speedster flywheel thanks to cracks from the triple-pin holes to the centre bore.

The current flywheel had been lightened somewhat (not in the area that cracked) and I plan to do similar to the replacement.

Very interested to hear others' opinions/suggestions/experience about where one can remove a fair bit of mass without compromising integrity.

I'm not worried about the flywheel being TOO light and thus affecting smoothness — the magnets add substantial mass and the whole setup will be balanced.

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Henry K. Lee
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:18 pm

I have taken about 4 pounds off of them with magnets and about 7 pounds when using an accessory ignition with no issues. Sure does make them rev up quicker.

Hank


Tbz4u
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Tbz4u » Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:03 pm

I would definitly balance flywheel after doing removal of material and the magnets... We knife balance them

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RajoRacer
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by RajoRacer » Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:08 pm

Back in the mid to late eighties, there was an article printed in the Vintage Ford with a diagram on how to lighten the flywheel by a Canadian machinist, if I recall correctly. Prior to my learning lathe machine work, my machinist friend followed the instructions and I recall him removing 10 or 11 pounds - that flywheel is in my Racer w/full length A crank & BB RAJO and as Hank stated - she revs up real quick !

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Henry K. Lee
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:14 pm

Definitely rebalance.


Kevin Pharis
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Kevin Pharis » Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:20 pm

It’s been a while so the the numbers are a bit fuzzy... but seems to me the stock flywheel weighs 30 lbs bare. I turned 15 of these pounds off, and have been abusing the remaining flywheel for the last 10 years or so... not sure I recommend going this far, but sure makes for a snappy motor!😉

If you are leaving the magnets on... I’m not sure that you could remove enough weight to make a difference. Might not be worth the effort for just a few pounds, especially with the resistance of the magnets acting like pump impeller veins.

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RajoRacer
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by RajoRacer » Sat Mar 14, 2020 2:45 pm

Had my crank & lightened flywheel spun balanced up to 4 K r.p.m. prior to final engine assembly - Zoom-Zoom !

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Chris Bamford
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Chris Bamford » Sun Mar 15, 2020 1:14 am

Thanks to all for your comments. Much appreciated.


Ralph F
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Ralph F » Sun Mar 15, 2020 7:49 am

Chris I have a cut down fly wheel in the barn. I will try and get some photos and measurement and post them later today.
Fitz


Ralph F
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Ralph F » Sun Mar 15, 2020 5:46 pm

Here are two photo of my cut down flywheel. The diameter of the flywheel is about 10".
Fitz
Attachments
image.jpg
image.jpg


Kevin Pharis
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Kevin Pharis » Sun Mar 15, 2020 6:08 pm

I LIKE IT!!!

But... do you have pics of the cut down magneto to go with it???😉


Ralph F
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Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Ralph F » Sun Mar 15, 2020 6:54 pm

Kevin this all got when I bought my speedster.
Fitz

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Topic author
Chris Bamford
Posts: 224
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:01 pm
First Name: Chris
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Speedster 1926 Touring
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MTFCA Number: 17817

Re: Where & how much to lighten flywheel?

Post by Chris Bamford » Sun Mar 15, 2020 11:25 pm

Thanks for those pics Ralph. That is quite the flywheel — gonna be tough to mount my magnets though...

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