Restoration Qs...flywheel housing

[d.j. moordigian]

Are there 3 styles of flywheel housings and what month/year were the
changes made? This is what I came up with.

# 1. start of production...
# 1a. variation of #1 , with the same shape...

#2. more rounded shape...

#3 late w/ reinforcing at the lower bolt holes...31?

Thanks, Dudley

[Tom Wesenberg]

I know of at least 3 different flywheel covers due to changes in the reinforcing ribs on the inside. I asked about these a couple years ago, but never got an answer. I think the only answer will come from a visit to the "BENSON FORD RESEARCH CENTER" in Dearborn, next to the Henry Ford Museum. You'd have to look at the flywheel cover blueprint and note the dates of the changes made.

[d.j. moordigian]

Tom,

I'm calling that a " 1a " on a UP TO June or July 29, nice tool for " sweeping " the
housing(turning the crank), KR Wilson?

Thanks

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

Tom,

I'm calling that a " 1a " on a UP TO June or July 29, nice tool for " sweeping " the
housing(turning the crank), KR Wilson?

Thanks

Yes, it's a K R Wilson tool that I found at a swap meet about 5 years ago. It sure is nice for turning the crank, checking flywheel flange runout and dialing in the cover.

[Gary Karr]

I am told that the revisions to the Judging Standards will address the changes.

[Rowdy]

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Counting the very early (5 bolt inspection cover) and the post production diamond block version, I can think of 5 variations. Pictured below is the over-reinfored diamond block version. Rod

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Counting the very early (5 bolt inspection cover) and the post production diamond block version, I can think of 5 variations. Pictured below is the over-rienfored diamond block version. Rod

Actually, IF any "five hole" type housings were ever produced that way then they are late 1928 or early 1929. The housing Tom shows was used approximately the first half of 1929.

[Rich in Tucson]

I have one with the part number (about 1/2" tall) cast into the lower portion that faces the engine; I believe it is not the later ribbed style but it is on a car now.

[Rowdy]

I have close to 40 flywheel hsgs and am yet to see any with all 5 holes drilled. Several with the bosses for the 2nd anf 4th holes. If anyone has one with all 5 holes drilled, PLEASE post a pic, as I am having a hard time beleiving any were actually produced. Rod

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

Are there 3 styles of flywheel housings and what month/year were the
changes made? This is what I came up with.

# 1. start of production...
# 1a. variation of #1 , with the same shape...

#2. more rounded shape...

#3 late w/ reinforcing at the lower bolt holes...31?

Thanks, Dudley

There were several variations. If you limit it to what can be seen when installed in the car there are seven variations. It's worth noting that Type 3 (most of 1928) and type 6 (late '29-31) are essentially the same on the exterior. The changes are all in the area of the shield except for the the late '31 version.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

I have close to 40 flywheel hsgs and am yet to see any with all 5 holes drilled. Several with the bosses for the 2nd anf 4th holes. If anyone has one with all 5 holes drilled, PLEASE post a pic, as I am having a hard time beleiving any were actually produced. Rod

Rod, I know where there is at least one at. I cannot take a picture of it at the moment because it is up at Bill Sturm's getting upholstery installed but it is in Richard Barsky's early Sport Coupe (1/4/28). It was in the car when it arrived here for a re-restoration, and I am guessing it is an original one as it has the matching inspection plate. Does that help?

[Charles Reese]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

Actually, IF any "five hole" type housings were ever produced that way then they are late 1928 or early 1929. The housing Tom shows was used approximately the first half of 1929.

this cover was on ebay recently ... looks to be in very good shape .. cannot attest to authenticity ... did not sell

[Charles Reese]

1-1-28 Parts book shows 3 hole cover FWIW

[d.j. moordigian]

How about this....3 distinctive EXTERIOR shapes with variations in each type? Also,
Marco, didn't you say there was a 2 bolt cover in E-28 or VE-28? Is this going to
be part of the revision for the JS?

[Rowdy]

I will take you word for it. Rod

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Charles Reese

this cover was on ebay recently ... looks to be in very good shape .. cannot attest to authenticity ... did not sell

I think a number of those have been drilled since Doc wrote about them many years ago. Note the depressions in the two upper corners. Those were added approximately May 1928. That fits what I said above however. The five boss housings were introduced near the end of 1928.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

How about this....3 distinctive EXTERIOR shapes with variations in each type? Also,
Marco, didn't you say there was a 2 bolt cover in E-28 or VE-28? Is this going to
be part of the revision for the JS?

The two bolt cover and housing was at the very end of 1928. We still have not located an example.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Here are the only 3 styles of flywheel covers I have.

Also note that some of the steel dust covers have clipped corners and some have a sharp corner. I have no information about why or when for this change.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

I think a number of those have been drilled since Doc wrote about them many years ago. Note the depressions in the two upper corners. Those were added approximately May 1928. That fits what I said above however. The five boss housings were introduced near the end of 1928.

Marco, maybe so as I did not research it. It was on the car when I disassembled it. Maybe I should call Doc and see what the deal is and what he wrote.

Where I guess I am confused is if the 5 boss housing did not come out until late 1928, why did Doc (or whomever) make the addition in the early 28 section of the Stds? Wouldn't the factory have needed 5 bosses for the 5 holes in the inspection cover? If they only made the housings with three holes, why bother putting the other two bosses in the pattern? What am I/we overlooking?

.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Marco, maybe so as I did not research it. It was on the car when I disassembled it. Maybe I should call Doc and see what the deal is and what he wrote.

Where I guess I am confused is if the 5 boss housing did not come out until late 1928, why did Doc (or whomever) make the addition in the early 28 section of the Stds? Wouldn't the factory have needed 5 bosses for the 5 holes in the inspection cover? If they only made the housings with three holes, why bother putting the other two bosses in the pattern? What am I/we overlooking?

.

Notice the first cover I pictured (red oxide primer) has the 2 extra bumps, but are not drill and tapped.

[Rowdy]

Was wondering the same thing. I thought the 5 holes were late 27 and very early 28. I thought the next ones with the undrilled bosses were used until early 29. I missed something here. Rod

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Marco, maybe so as I did not research it. It was on the car when I disassembled it. Maybe I should call Doc and see what the deal is and what he wrote.

Where I guess I am confused is if the 5 boss housing did not come out until late 1928, why did Doc (or whomever) make the addition in the early 28 section of the Stds? Wouldn't the factory have needed 5 bosses for the 5 holes in the inspection cover? If they only made the housings with three holes, why bother putting the other two bosses in the pattern? What am I/we overlooking?

.

The five bosses were in the transition to the two hole cover at the end of 1928. The "new" cover used the two new bosses and NOT the original three. The casting patterns were simply modified to accept the new bolt locations. Ford quickly transitioned back to the original hole locations but the old casting patterns were used until they had to be changed to add additional strengthening ribs inside as Tom's pics show.

As far as things written in the past, the Ford records were not as easily obtainable in those days.

[Rowdy]

Thanks for the expaination Marco. I had it all wrong. Rod

[d.j. moordigian]

Thank you for all the responses.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Since I will be dialing in another flywheel cover this week I thought it worth showing these pictures again.

Many people talk about engine vibration, but I wonder how many check the flywheel flange for concentricity to the rear main journal? See my second picture in reply #2 for how to check for runout of the flywheel mounting flange.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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And be sure to check the musical "RING" of a housing, as compared to a good one, to detect "UNSEEN" cracks.
Bill Cracked

[Roadster62]

I just sold one made in Argentina, hard to believe it was worth the time and money for someone to cast an aftermarket version. Bob