How many teeth are on a Chevy 350 flywheel?
The Chevy 350 engine is a classic and widely used small-block V8 engine, known for its reliability and performance. One of the critical components of this engine is the flywheel, which plays a vital role in the engine's operation. If you're working on a Chevy 350 or simply curious about its specifications, you might wonder: how many teeth does its flywheel have? Let's dive into the details.
Understanding the Role of the Flywheel
The flywheel is a crucial part of the engine's operation. It is mounted to the rear of the crankshaft and serves several purposes, including:
- Storing rotational energy to keep the engine running smoothly between power strokes.
- Providing a surface for the starter motor to engage and crank the engine.
- Acting as a mounting point for the clutch in manual transmission vehicles.
Given its importance, the flywheel's specifications, including the number of teeth, are essential for proper engine operation and compatibility with other components.
Chevy 350 Flywheel Tooth Count
The number of teeth on a Chevy 350 flywheel depends on the specific application and the size of the flywheel. Generally, there are two common sizes of flywheels used with the Chevy 350 engine:
- 153-tooth flywheel: This smaller flywheel is typically used in applications where space is limited, such as in compact engine bays.
- 168-tooth flywheel: This larger flywheel is more common and is often used in trucks or other vehicles where space is less of a concern.
It's important to note that the starter motor must match the flywheel size. Starters designed for 153-tooth flywheels have a different bolt pattern and gear engagement compared to those for 168-tooth flywheels.
How to Determine the Flywheel Size
If you're unsure which flywheel your Chevy 350 has, here are a few ways to determine the size:
- Check the starter motor: The bolt pattern on the starter motor can indicate the flywheel size. Starters for 153-tooth flywheels typically have a straight bolt pattern, while those for 168-tooth flywheels have an offset bolt pattern.
- Measure the flywheel diameter: A 153-tooth flywheel typically has a diameter of about 12.75 inches, while a 168-tooth flywheel measures approximately 14 inches.
- Consult the vehicle's manual: The owner's manual or service manual for your vehicle may specify the flywheel size used with the Chevy 350 engine.
Conclusion
In summary, the Chevy 350 flywheel typically has either 153 or 168 teeth, depending on the application. Knowing the correct flywheel size is essential for ensuring compatibility with the starter motor and other components. If you're replacing or working on the flywheel, take the time to verify the size to avoid any issues during installation or operation.
At Kevin's Autos, we have years of experience working with Chevy engines and can help you with all your car maintenance and repair needs. If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teeth are on a C4 flexplate?
157 teeth
They are 157 teeth, neutral balance, 3.0" pcd for the six bolts, and have the same 9.5" converter bolt pattern as the Aussie C4 items. Any time a C4 was fitted to an Aussie Falcon 6, it lost 3 teeth form its 160 teeth flexplate, and got a 157 teeth item.
How do you know if your flywheel teeth are bad?
If your flywheel is damaged or has surface contamination, then your clutch might not be able to get a firm grip on the wheel. Sometimes, clutches go to the other extreme and stick to warped or damaged flywheels. Or, they suffer from chatter problems where they skip on and off their wheels rather than attach to them.
How many drive teeth does a TH350 have?
Looks like the TH350 could be 7, 8, 9 or 10 tooth drive gear. However, 8 appears to be pretty common. What is your tire height or size? Based on your pulling of a natural 18-tooth from the trans with a 3.07 gear, This shows you may have a 1.84" 8-tooth drive gear.
What is the difference between a 153 and 168 tooth flywheel?
Other than the bolt pattern (and low torque verses high torque starters) the starters are the same. The starter will spin the engine faster with the 153 tooth flywheel, but the starter has more "leverage" turning a 168 tooth flywheel, therefore turns the engine over with less amperage draw.
What is the difference between SBC flywheel and flexplate?
Flywheels are typically found on vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, while flexplates are used in vehicles with automatic transmissions. A manual transmission has a flywheel that is attached to the crankshaft and has a clutch disk in between the pressure plate and flywheel.
How big is a 168 tooth flywheel?
You can measure the flywheel diameter. The 153 tooth is ~12 1/2 " while the 168 is ~14". You can pick apart stock style starters, as mentioned by others, by the position of the mounting bolt holes (staggered for big flywheel).
How do I know how many teeth are on my flywheel?
Calculating number of teeth of an engine flywheel
- Start the engine and measure the frequency (Hz) at the generator's output (L-L or L-N)
- Run the excel file and add the frequency you recorded in A4 cell.
- Measure the frequency from the MPU and add it on cell G3.
- The result whill appear on cell I3 - and you are done.
How many teeth does a GM flywheel have?
Gen I and Gen II Chevy engines featured two available diameters of flywheels and two corresponding tooth counts of 153 and 168. Gen III, IV, V LS/LT series engines feature only the large diameter, 168 tooth flywheels, and flexplates, but carry either a 6, 8, or 9 bolt crank flanges.
How many teeth does a Chevy 350 flywheel have?
There's 168 tooth flywheels and 153 tooth flywheels. The straight pattern is for 168, the offset is for 153.
How many teeth are on a big-block Chevy flywheel?
All other big-block displacements used a 2-pc rear main seal, internal or “0” balance, and 168 tooth ring gear. They will accept the same flywheel as the early small-block engine. All Big Blocks can use the 153 tooth flywheel when the engine block is drilled for starter type.
