The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Changing ring gears

Is it possible to change a 235 ring gear without needing a welding torch? Could I do it with a propane or map torch? I want to swap the ring gear on my 9" clutch 216 flywheel to my 10-3/4" clutch 235 flywheel.

Yeah, assuming your gear wasn't welded on by a idiot PO. Do the damaged gear first for practice. Put the flywheel on a block of wood or something to give the ring gear space to fall off. Heat around and around the entire gear to make it expand. It doesn't have to be very hot. Just hot enough to boil water. Spit is a good calibrated temp sensor.

Start tapping on the gear with a brass drift and a hammer. Go around flywheel with torch, then around with hammer. Rinse, lather, repeat. The gear should just fall off.

Installation is the reverse of removal. (I hate it when manuals say that. )

chip

Will it fit in your oven?, works perfect at 300 degrees.

I have replaced many ring gears and to remove the old gear just support the fly wheel any way you can {I had a stout vise}, take a hammer and heavy punch and just drive the old ring gear off. You don't have to heat it. To install the new ring gear I like to clamp a bolt or something with a shoulder on it in a vise and hang the new ring gear on it. Now use a torch of some kind to heat it. [have the flywheel laying on the bench or floor ready to receive the hot ring gear]. I never had access to an oven put that sounds like it would work. While heating the gear use the torch and go around and around to head it evenly. When it is hot take a pair of pliers and lay the hot ring gear on the flywheel. [It should fall on the flywheel] Make sure it is seated all the way around. When it is cooled down it is ready to be used. It is really an easy task to complete

Yeah, what Racecarldad said. I used to have the only flywheel grinder within an 80 mile radius and changed a ring gear about every week or so. I knocked 'em off with a brass punch. Put the new gear in the oven at 500 degrees or so for about 20 minutes. Be sure you have the correct side up on those gears where it matters. The ring gear will just drop right onto the flywheel. Let it set till you can pick it up with bare hands, and you're done.

Joe

Well, I don't think the oven is socially acceptable but I could use the gas BBQ. Will that mess the clutch facing up too much?

Only problem is you'll put so much heat energy into the flywheel, it'll take awhile to cool off.

chip

I don't care how long it takes to cool off, I've got weeks. I'll probably use a torch though. The flywheel has been outside all week so it should be nice and cool.

I have new flywheel ring gears you need one.

You heat the ring gear only so it fits on easily. The oven is handy, and the hot mitts are usually by the range.

hmmm

Do your wives know about this secret Chevy installation method?

Nope, I don't need a new one. I am swapping a 261 into my truck and I want to use the big clutch and the old footmash starter, so I am just swapping the ring gears between the flywheels. They are both in good shape showing minimal wear.

Josiah,

Just for peace of mind, check the inside diameters of the ring gears before starting the change over. Deve Krebiel has been posting on the old-chevy-trucks mailing list about inside dia differences of 1/8" between 216 and 235 ring gears.

Well, the bbq worked well. I ran into rain, though, so I didn't finish taking the 235 ring gear off. I will let you know on the diameter differance.