The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Flywheel help

I have a 235 engine, 12volt, but I believe that the tranny was never changed and the flywheel is still the same. Due to the fact that I have changed the starter 3 times. My mechanic states that the flywheel is missing teeth and causes the starter to take a crap. Question 1: Do I have to go out and find a 12 volt flywheel or will buying the flywheel gear ring fit on that 6 volt flywheel. Question 2: If I have to buy the flywheel does anyone know were I can buy one online. Thanks. J :confused:

The ring gear in the same for 6 and 12 volts and you should be able to replace it. The only hard part is getting to it.

It's possable that you have a ring gear from a foot starter
But I think the starter would make a HELLOFANOISE!!

You need to replace the ring gear on the flywheel.
The flywheel must be removed . The ring gear is
available at the specialtie suppliers like Chevy
Duty or lmc. If your mechanic is putting on the
starter I don,t imagine you would do this yourself
If he needs info on putting the gear on, reply
to this post & I or another stovebolter will
help.

The ring gear size is not actually the same for 6 and 12 volt units. The ring gear inner diameters are the same for foot stomp and solenoid starters of the same voltage, though.

When I installed the 261 (uses the same flywheel as a 235) in my truck I wanted to use the 216 bellhousing and footstomp 6V starter. Since my old flywheel had a 9-1/4" clutch I wanted to use the 261 flywheel, but the ring gear inside diameters were differant. The 216 ring gear had a smaller ID, so I had a machinist turn down the 261 flywheel to fit. It worked just fine. The 12V ring gear will not fit a 6V flywheel.

You will need to count the teeth on your existing ring gear and order/obtain one of the same count. The 12v ring gear is of finer pitch. I have a spare 12V ring gear, and they are pretty easy to get. You may want to place an ad in the swap meet.

BTW, a propane BBQ grill works great for heating up the flywheel and ring gear for removal, just be sure not to burn yourself.