Greetings from North Idaho,
Signed up to learn and hopefully share what I know.
The first mystery in converting my all original 72 Cutlass from automatic
to 4-speed is finding the proper flywheel. My flexplate is 166 tooth,
13 7/8" OD and 6 mounting bolts, everywhere I look all they have is 168
tooth and about 14.13" OD.
Can anyone shed some light, much appreciated.

Paul

 

Welcome to the site Paul! I moved this to the parts wanted section as your asking about a flywheel. Please create another thread in the Newbie section to tell us more about your car.

The 330, 1965-67 400, 425 use the same flexplate and flywheel. Then the 350, 68-69 400 and 455 flexplate and flywheel are all the same. The difference between these two groups is the bolt pattern where it attaches to the crankshaft. So are you looking for a new or used flywheel? Someone else will have to chime in if your looking for new. Several of us will have extra used ones. John

 

The most difficult part of the auto to manual trans switch is getting a pilot bushing in the end of the crankshaft asmost Olds motors were not set-up for a pilot bushing. It can be done by taking a little off the imput shaft of the trans, but I would rather have a machine shop drill the needed hole in the end of the crank while it is apart. Good luck!

 

I just figured that out and spent a month researching and debating what
to do. I decided to get the bearing from supercars unltd and drive it in to
the end of the crank. I know I have heard stories of short life. Am hoping
it will last til the engine needs to be pulled for rebuild then do it right.
Any thoughts on longevity to this approach if not driven to aggressively.

Also might you have an extra flywheel for it. If so:
e-mail is: deckon.paul@yahoo.com

Thanks again,

 

Sorry, I don't have an extra flywheel as they are pretty rare. I think you will still have to shorten the input shaft on the trans to make it work, which will need to be replaced when you decide to do the job in the correct manner. Can't attest to the issue of longevity as I have never run one set-up that way. Good luck!

 

You can buy after market flywheels easy enough. you can put a space between the bell housing and the transmission and not cut the shaft on the transmission.