Question about 3.8 etype flywheel 104 tooth
#1 Question about 3.8 etype flywheel 104 tooth
Is there a minimum thickness for a flywheel?
Does anyone know the original thickness from the base of the ring gear to the surface of the flywheel?
I'm looking at at least 40 thousands off mine and it probably was resurfaced once before I owned the car.
Any help at all would be GREATLY appreciated!!
Does anyone know the original thickness from the base of the ring gear to the surface of the flywheel?
I'm looking at at least 40 thousands off mine and it probably was resurfaced once before I owned the car.
Any help at all would be GREATLY appreciated!!
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#2
any thoughts at all?
what was the original thickness of a 3.8 flywheel? from base to face?
what was the original thickness of a 3.8 flywheel? from base to face?
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
-
Gfhug
- Posts: 3796
- Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:08 pm
- Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty

#3
Have you tried contacting any of the engine overhaul companies? My guess is they are more likely to know this than the forum members
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
-
Gfhug
- Posts: 3796
- Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:08 pm
- Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty

#5
You could try Rob Beere or VSE engines. Both are spoken of highly on the forum
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
-
PeterCrespin
- Posts: 4561
- Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:22 pm
- Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland.
- Contact:

#6
Sorry. Missed this. The important dimension is the 'web' between the hub and the heavy rim. It's the thinnest section but not easily measured accurately as it is rough and uneven at the back.
I just measured two 4.2 flywheels at the rim as 34.66 and 36.23 mm. The 4.2 is thicker than the 3.8 and the 3.8 comes in two flavours itself - standard and light. All XK flywheels are tough steel, not cast-iron, and are therefore unlikely to 'grenade' and take your ankles off. Why are you taking so much off the front? Is it so badly scored? If you are trying to reduce mass you need to work on the back and especially the rim.
I think you'll be fine, but my opinion is worth what you pay for it...
Pete
I just measured two 4.2 flywheels at the rim as 34.66 and 36.23 mm. The 4.2 is thicker than the 3.8 and the 3.8 comes in two flavours itself - standard and light. All XK flywheels are tough steel, not cast-iron, and are therefore unlikely to 'grenade' and take your ankles off. Why are you taking so much off the front? Is it so badly scored? If you are trying to reduce mass you need to work on the back and especially the rim.
I think you'll be fine, but my opinion is worth what you pay for it...
Pete
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#7
it was very badly scored and apparently had been resurfaced unevenly by a previous owner...or bad clutch wear or something b/c one 1/3 was worn more than the rest! Not trying to lighten it at all.
I cannot get a good measure of a 3.8 in it's original state, but I was wondering if it was thinner, so that is good to know.
I've had 2 different machine shops who've done jags for 30+ years say I'd be fine But I had one guy say he had one blow out on him when it was on a dyno and went thru a wall. It had a 'micro crack' that he hadn't seen before. Seeing as how I'm fond of my legs I thought I'd do some asking.
I cannot get a good measure of a 3.8 in it's original state, but I was wondering if it was thinner, so that is good to know.
I've had 2 different machine shops who've done jags for 30+ years say I'd be fine But I had one guy say he had one blow out on him when it was on a dyno and went thru a wall. It had a 'micro crack' that he hadn't seen before. Seeing as how I'm fond of my legs I thought I'd do some asking.
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
-
David Oslo
- Posts: 653
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:13 pm
- Location: Norway

#8
Given that you've posted question on Series 1 and Technical I thought that I'd reply both places :D
I'm at work and my flywheel is at home so I can't measure, but doing some ballpark calcs I get a 40 thou (e.g. 1mm) skim to be around 1 lb in weight reduction.
This is based on inner / outer diameter of the surface being skimmed being around 360mm / 240mm (guestimation)
Not sure if this helps, but maybe puts things a little in perspective, at least if you know how much has previously been skimmed.
I'm at work and my flywheel is at home so I can't measure, but doing some ballpark calcs I get a 40 thou (e.g. 1mm) skim to be around 1 lb in weight reduction.
This is based on inner / outer diameter of the surface being skimmed being around 360mm / 240mm (guestimation)
Not sure if this helps, but maybe puts things a little in perspective, at least if you know how much has previously been skimmed.
David
S1 2+2 '67 MOD conversion (going)
S2 OTS '70 (arriving)
S1 2+2 '67 MOD conversion (going)
S2 OTS '70 (arriving)
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#9
thanks David. any and all help is appreciated.
if you have a chance to measure from the base of the ring gear to the surface of the flywheel. I'd be curious to know that too.
if you have a chance to measure from the base of the ring gear to the surface of the flywheel. I'd be curious to know that too.
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#10
For what its worth. A machine shop measured a 3.8 flywheel for me and it was 1.278 inches. He was not sure of the history on it
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |
#11
This probably of no help but I read somewhere that the 3.8 flywheel weighs between 18 and 22lbs.
It appears mine was lightened at some stage because it weighs 18lbs or slightly less now because I had it tub ground when I rebuilt the engine.
Dave
It appears mine was lightened at some stage because it weighs 18lbs or slightly less now because I had it tub ground when I rebuilt the engine.
Dave
| Link: | |
| BBcode: | |
| HTML: | |
| Hide post links |


