Flywheel HELP!!

[ponyboyracing]

Hi all, here’s the setup. I have a 1970’s 429 (DOVE-A) that I have built for racing. I have built an engine test stand for it and have it almost ready to go. It will be mated to a C6 transmission when it is in the car but for mounting purposes, while it is on the stand, I have it mated to a late 70’s manual bell housing (D9TA-7505BA). Here is where I am having a problem, I have a 164 tooth flexplate on it for the C6 and apparently it is too small because the starter won’t engage the flexplate. The starter is about a half an inch away from engaging. The research that I have read states that the 1971 429 Mustang/Cougar’s had a Flywheel that measured 15.5 inches, the flex plate I have measures 14.5 inches, I have not been able to find any documentation on the diameter of the Flexplate for a 1971 429/460 mated to a C6. NOW, here is my question…….Does the 429/460 Bell housing require the bigger diameter flywheel? OR is it the same size as the C6 Bell housing? Do I need a different Bell housing? OR do I need the bigger Flywheel?

Final question….what size flywheel / flexplate do I need to get this puppy up and running??

Thanks for the help. Joe

[Tom Wells]

Joe,

After cruising the net a bit, it looks as though you have the correct flex plate at 164 teeth and ~14.5" diameter.

The starter location is pretty well fixed, too.

Hmmmm....

The flywheel for the manual trans does seem to be larger in diameter than the automatic if I read Ford Racing's web site correctly.

One way to tell would be to compare the starter mounting hole locations in the thin block plate that goes between the engine and the trans for the auto and the manual.

Puzzler.

Tom

[Tom Wells]

Whoops!

Almost forgot the most helpful resource for questions like this: http://www.460ford.com/index.php

Post your question over there and I'm sure you'll have the mystery solved

Tom

[ponyboyracing]

thanks for your help Tom