tooth

[redracer]

does anyone know why chevy has two different number teeth on there flywheels?

 

[justsomeguy]

There's the 153 tooth and the 168. They both come in either internal or external balanced versions. Either of them can run on big or small blocks. As far as the actual why part of your question, I couldn't tell ya...

I have the same question about why did GM have to change the intake bolt pattern on the Vortec heads...

 

[redracer]

do you know if you can change no. of teeth what would that do?

 

[justsomeguy]

Automatic or manual? Internal or external balanced motor? At a bare minimum, you will have to change the starter.

Why are you changing from one to the other?

 

[Snake Farm]

I think it all had to do with clutch/converter size. I'm not sure what all used the 153 tooth but I know my early Chevy II with it's small bell housing and 10-1/2 inch clutch used them. I suspect other small size cars used them too like the Monza and Vega.

 

[redracer]

the motor iam using had a auto. behind it. I am puting a 5 speed manual behind it .I have a flywheel and clutch from a nother motor with 153 teeth the auto had 168.

 

[justsomeguy]

Are you going with a Chevy T5 then? As long as the clutch and flywheel mate, I would find the starter for the 153 tooth setup and run it. Make sure the splines on the clutch line fit your trans first! Also, good time to check/replace your pilot bushing.

Something like this:

JEGS 153 tooth starter

 

[redracer]

yes a t5 out of a camaro. 26 spline input. when you buy a starter has anyone asked you how many teeth you have on your flywheel?

 

[justsomeguy]

Don't think I've ever run into that question before. Just tell 'em you need a starter for an '86 camaro and you'll be good!

 

[ruggs]

Starters that bolt horizontal use ( as best I can remember) a 153 tooth, vertical bolt pattern for the starter should be 168. It was all different with the bell housing......not hard to look up ,I'm just to lazy and already killed those brain cells......ruggs

 

[cycledog]

Ran into the same issue when I got the starter for my coupster. Used a started for a v-6, supposedly more torque and less weight.

 

[Tim...Ok]

you are stretchin the old brain cells here a little just make sure it all works together before you put it in..I had installed a late model large journal 327 in my 70 rs/ss camaro and went to put the starter on when i realized my block was only drilled for one set of starter holes instead of both like most SBC's..and it was drilled for the starter that didn't fit the flexplate I had in it..frustrating

 

[RPM]

you are stretchin the old brain cells here a little just make sure it all works together before you put it in..I had installed a late model large journal 327 in my 70 rs/ss camaro and went to put the starter on when i realized my block was only drilled for one set of starter holes instead of both like most SBC's..and it was drilled for the starter that didn't fit the flexplate I had in it..frustrating

Thats when you get one of the mini starters that has both bolt patterns and fits both flywheels..

 

[Old Iron]

It most likely all started back when they used 10 1/2" clutches and 11" clutches. Other than that [S
In the racin world we look for the least amount of weight, sprung, un-sprung, slung, un-slung [dr
So we always used 153 tooth flex plates or flywheels because of the smaller diameter being lighter and weight being closer to the center of the crank or aluminum (until all the kool mini clutches came out)
The straight bolt pattern on the block is 153 tooth, the offset bolt pattern on the block is 168 tooth
The new mini starters with 4 bolt holes eliminated having to have 2 different starters for these applications

Jim

 

[redracer]

thanks to everyone for there help. since I need a new starter anyway I will get one that fits both.

 

[Tim...Ok]

Thats when you get one of the mini starters that has both bolt patterns and fits both flywheels..

now ya tell me..LOL this was about 15 years ago and I didn't know it at the time, I just did a 3 hour ticked off flexplate R & R

 

[sneakysnake]

I put a th400 trans in one time and used a small plate because that was the starter I had and the torque converter wouldnt bolt up had to put a in 168 it had two sets of holes for different torque converter bolts

 

[Tim...Ok]

I put a th400 trans in one time and used a small plate because that was the starter I had and the torque converter wouldnt bolt up had to put a in 168 it had two sets of holes for different torque converter bolts

Haha..I've done that too snake, luckily mine was just bolted together on the floor

 

[rainman]

Torque!!! More teeth, more turning power!!