Board Logo

flywheel skim and new clutch kit
takis - October 5th, 2012 at 09:43 AM

i have a 1775 cc vw motor in a 69 bug.
Its time to replace the clutch as its starting to slip.Its a daily driver, with twin Kadrons.
My question is ,if i remove the flywheel and get it skimmed for new clutch plate, should i balance everything?As an assembly clutch and pressure plate bolted together?
Or is it fine and not worry about balancing...
Thanks for your replies.
Peter.

vlad01 - October 5th, 2012 at 11:03 AM

should only be balanced with the rest of the rotating mass really.

kinda useless to balance it by itself if its been done already considering just a clutch rebuilt.

I personally wouldn't worry about it, just make sure the flywheel is indexed to the crank when reinstalling it to ensure its original position if it was previously balanced as a complete rotating mass.

I recently did the flywheel and clutch in my car. the flywheel isn't even from my engine originally and I never got it balanced (should have, but wasn't willing to part the engine to do this) but I have done over 100,000 and no issues and feels smooth as butter.

Craig Torrens - October 5th, 2012 at 11:39 AM

was the motor fully balanced when it was built ?

takis - October 5th, 2012 at 07:49 PM

answering your question Craig , yes it was balanced as a complete assembly crankshaft and clutch assembly bolted together..Then dynamic balanced...

matberry - October 5th, 2012 at 08:24 PM

IMO it really depends on the way it was originally balanced. The best way for this purpose is to balance each part progressively, crank then crank and flywheel, then with clutch, then with pulley. That way each component is in balance and to re balance any one component, if the shop is a specialist shop, they may have an in-balance crank, flywheel etc that they can fit your new clutch to and it will then match as best as possible without engine disassembly. If it can't be done this way you may as well not bother and bolt it on.

SuperOwen - October 6th, 2012 at 04:32 AM

You shouldn't be removing enough off the flywheel to effect anything greatly. Pressure plate and clutch disk "should" come balanced. To be honest I've never seen anyone rebalance just for a clutch job.

stoker - October 6th, 2012 at 06:48 AM

if you are just replacing the clutch, dont bother as every time you disengage the clutch it stops in a different spot.
i have never balanced a clutch in my life