I think I am going to have to try and get my hands on a 6 bolt 11 inch late 56-62 flywheel to see what the measurements are between the holes for the pressure plate. I don't have one in my stash of stuff to see if the measurements might work with an aftermarket pressure plate and clutch.
I have a steel flywheel that I purchased directly from Jack Clifford in 82 or so on my current 261 motor. They were made for Clifford by McLeod but not too many were ever made so profoundly rare. I spoke with McLeod and they were not willing to go to the trouble of making any more of them, other then at an outrageous cost (you don't want to know what they ball parked it at. Sort of the old, I will do the job only if you pay silly money). The McLeod flywheel has held up like no one's business and after all these years of me punishing it, not a mark on it. Would love to have a second one. My youngest son is in the middle of building a 261 and the 9.5 inch clutch is just not doing it for me. So its sort out something with an 11 inch flywheel, or some other alternative.
One thing I don't know, again because I don't have any in my stash of stuff to compare, is whether the 235 and 261 cast flywheels are the same as the small block flywheels, just with the additional dowel pin holes. Having a small block steel flywheel drilled for the additional dowels might be an option if they are.
Another option, Mike Norcia at Ram Clutch tells me that they can probably make a steel flywheel up but would need a sample. Standard 10.5 steel flywheel, using standard pattern GM pressure plates and clutch plates, and thus able to use aftermarket pressure plates with higher clamping forces, decent clutch plates with stronger materials.
Last edited by Dragsix; 05/16/2024 3:29 PM.
