Flywheel & Clutch Sizing

[Clarmo]

Get a TBI 305 flywheel. And go to at least 3.42s
Racing or not I'm assuming you're planning on dropping the hammer time to time. On a 35 yr old trans that was weak to begin with that's all it takes

I was looking for a good flywheel and clutch like Ram Clutches. Ram makes a 168 but not a 153 tooth flywheel and their 11" clutch is $40 cheaper then their 10.5" clutch. Not that the price matters but its a bigger clutch for less (probably because it is more popular)
I just noticed Hays makes a 153 tooth flywheel for a one piece rear main, 1986-1993
Are all one piece cranks, 1986 to 1998, 305 and 350 balance the same?

As For the 3.42 gears...Do the math... with my 3 speed transmission ratio of 3.5 x 3.42 = 11.97:1 for the first gear ratio!
That is more then a 4.56 in a TH350 (2.42 x 4.56 = 11.49:1)
Not to mention it will be 3000rpm at 70mph with 27" tall tires on the back VS 2400rpm
I am confident the trans will take a beating. I've owned these before and I've seen them used in many stock car / race cars over the years.
Yes she's 35 years old but only has 20,000miles on her.

 

[Clarmo]

do you know the part number of the bell housing?, that will tell you if the 168 tooth flywheel will fit. Why do you want an 11" clutch?

Not sure of the part number but I sure it's the same bell housing as the 4 speed manual cars.

 

[Texas82GP]

This is a good read on bellhousings....
http://www.4speedconversions.com/g_bellhousing.html
I'm guessing your car is set up for the 10.5" clutch but without identifying which bellhousing you have, it is difficult to know for sure. A 10.5" clutch will be quite adequate for your setup. I understand your perspective that if you can easily fit an 11" and it's cheaper, then why not?

 

[L67ss]

The trans in your car is meant for a motor that made 110ish HP. You're looking at tripling that. You need to take load off the trans or swap to a four speed up to the task

 

[Texas82GP]

The trans in your car is meant for a motor that made 110ish HP. You're looking at tripling that. You need to take load off the trans or swap to a four speed up to the task

The Saginaw transmission is much maligned and should certainly not be raced, but it will live behind a V8 if he doesn't run slicks, hook up, or power shift. When I got my car it had a Saginaw 4-speed behind the SBC 400 in it. It was fine driving it normally, and even giving it plenty of gas. Now, rev it to 6000 and dump the clutch, all bets are off.

 

[L67ss]

Its likewhat I told the old guy I did a v8 s10 swap for yrs back. It had slipped out that I knew all the parts needed to use the five speed from the old 2.8 saying he'd go easy on it. I said no one v8 swaps without the intention of hot dogging it otherwise they'd go with a stock replacement motor

 

[Texas82GP]

He's got another car that will pull the front wheels up so I don't think he intends to drive the four door that way. You're not wrong though. The Saginaw won't tolerate abuse at that power level.

 

[L67ss]

Sorry it just sounds like a time bomb to me. Even the description of the planned motor doesn't come across as one with putt putt plans

 

[pagrunt]

I'm taking the 3.8L power-plant out of the Taxi and swapping it with a new 350 Vortec, Mild cam, roller rockers, 650cfm Carb, Headers...And I'm keeping the stock 3 speed manual transmission and Stock 2.73:1 gears. ( but installing a posi carrier )
I'm getting some parts together now and I'm looking at Flywheel & Clutch options.
My question is: Will a 168 tooth flywheel and 11" clutch fit in the stock bell housing?

Thanks,
View attachment 58249

I'd stick with the 153 tooth flywheel balanced for the Vortec. Less rotating weight on the engine. When I bumped up to an 168 tooth wheel in my '72 Monte I felt the differance in power.

He's got another car that will pull the front wheels up so I don't think he intends to drive the four door that way. You're not wrong though. The Saginaw won't tolerate abuse at that power level.

Don't under value the strength of a Saginaw, they can take more than every gives the credit. My '72 was listed at a ship wieght of 4100 lbs new on the build sheet, had 3.73 posi, & an estimated 250 horse small block. The 4 speed was a 3.11 1st gear unit fron a Vega.

 

[Bar50]

The 11 bell housing is pretty rare. I am looking for one. Most of em are 153 tooth. Need a car starter and the flywheel above or similar.

For what its worth, I have a Saginaw that was born in my 78 GMC Caballero behind a stock 454. I added a 3.42 gear & posi. I don't lean on it very hard, no sticky tires, but its great fun to drive.