8RT / 8CM flywheel & starter interchangeability

[Southtowns27]

I have a flywheel off of an 8RT to replace my 8CM flywheel. This will allow me to run the readily available long style clutch. Will the 8CM starter and starter plate work with the 8RT flywheel? If not, exactly what do I need?

[19Fordy]

I am pretty sure the answer is "Yes".
Check this out:
https://www.bing.com/search?q=do+194...ANAB01&PC=HCTS

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by Southtowns27

I have a flywheel off of an 8RT to replace my 8CM flywheel. This will allow me to run the readily available long style clutch. Will the 8CM starter and starter plate work with the 8RT flywheel? If not, exactly what do I need?

The 8CM flywheel will allow a readily available diaphragm pressure plate, either aftermarket or from a clutch re-builder.

[pistonbroke]

I found the easiest and cheapest way was just to take my 8cm flywheel to a machine shop and have it re-drilled for the ford clutch. Tim

[38 coupe]

If your 8CM is from a 49, 50, or early 51 Mercury the pressure plate already works with the larger throw out bearing and no need to change. If you have the later pressure plate then I agree with Tim, just redrill the flywheel to match the new pressure plate. Any competent automotive machine shop should be able to do this without problem, and surface the clutch face for you too.

[Southtowns27]

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I guess I should have added that this is for a T5 swap. I have none of the 8CM clutch parts, only the flywheel. It seems far easier to just use the 8RT flywheel that I already have instead of paying to have the 8CM flywheel redrilled. I'm pretty sure the throwout bearing included in the T5 kit I have is intended to be used with a long style clutch. I'm trying to use the parts I already have on hand to save on cost. I'm really just looking for a definitive "yes, the 8CM starter and starter plate will work with the 8RT flywheel."