Flywheel ring gear

[Doug W.]

Any sources for replacement 153 tooth ring gear, USA made?

[John H.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Any sources for replacement 153 tooth ring gear, USA made?

Doug -

All of the usual suppliers (Paragon, LICS, CC, etc.) have them - do you have their catalogs?

[Terry M.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Any chance you can reverse the teeth? If it is a flywheel (manual trans) as opposed to a flex plate (auto trans) you can heat the ring gear and flip it over and reinstall.

[Duke W.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

What Terry says, but I can't imagine that the normal aftermarket OE replacement parts system - NAPA/FLAPS - can't supply an OE quality 153 tooth replacement ring gear. Chevrolet made at least 20 million vehicles with these things and millions are still on the road. Where do you think the repro Corvette parts outfits get them?

Duke

[Jim D.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

I got mine from Paragon. The 153 tooth ring gear is hard to find. The 168 is available everywhere. Every clutch shop and corner grocery store has them and they're cheap. I called everywhere locally looking for a 153 tooth and nobody had them or had access to getting them. Call Paragon, tell them you're a NCRS member and get it for $45.

[Joe L.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

I got mine from Paragon. The 153 tooth ring gear is hard to find. The 168 is available everywhere. Every clutch shop and corner grocery store has them and they're cheap. I called everywhere locally looking for a 153 tooth and nobody had them or had access to getting them. Call Paragon, tell them you're a NCRS member and get it for $45.

Jim------

You must have called folks that were not in-the-know. You can get all you want of the 153 tooth flywheel from GM under GM #3991407. Theoretically, GM dealer parts departments should know that. Otherwise, how will GM sell them?

[Jim D.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Jim------

You must have called folks that were not in-the-know. You can get all you want of the 153 tooth flywheel from GM under GM #3991407. Theoretically, GM dealer parts departments should know that. Otherwise, how will GM sell them?

Thanks Joe, I never called a Chevy dealer. 3 of the local dealerships (where I used to get parts) have closed and the remaining ones don't carry any parts at all. Everything has to be ordered and takes over a week to get. We have 3 industrial clutch houses locally and they all said they didn't have access to the 153 tooth but all had the 168 tooth in stock for about $20.

[Joe L.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Thanks Joe, I never called a Chevy dealer. 3 of the local dealerships (where I used to get parts) have closed and the remaining ones don't carry any parts at all. Everything has to be ordered and takes over a week to get. We have 3 industrial clutch houses locally and they all said they didn't have access to the 153 tooth but all had the 168 tooth in stock for about $20.

Jim------


I think the reason is that the 153 tooth flywheel applications are pretty much "ancient history" at this point. C4 Corvette applications used the 153 tooth flywheel but they were a really small part of the overall GM picture in "modern" times. The 168 tooth flywheel is, by far, the most common over the last many years.

[Tom P.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

I 100% agree with the comment about flipping the ring gear over (if it's a manual tranny flywheel). I've done it to countless flywheels.
BUUUUUUUUUUT, one thing I would NOT do. I would not heat the ring gear to remove it. I use a soft drift (an old brass rod) and a 3lb hammer. I work my way around the ring gear, gently driving it off a little at a time. Thoroughly clean the seat area of the flywheel for the ring gear and clean the ring gear.
I then place the ring gear in my wife's oven, 500deg, for about 30min. Place the ring gear back onto the flywheel (flipped over of course) and QUICKLY tap it all the way onto the flywheel. Let it cool, you're done. With this method the ring gear only gets heated once. The cost is free and most likely it will outlast you now.

[Terry M.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Your method more consistantly controlls the heat, but I have found the old rosebud tip for the blue wrench works just fine -- and goes a lot farther in keeping household peace. Moving the torch around the outside fo the ring is also essential. Only a few of us will do this more than once in our lifetime, however -- and like most things experience is a great teacher.

[Jim D.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

I agree with Terry. The old "smoke wrench" has worked for me for the last 40 years with no problems.

[Doug W.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Thanks for your help gentlmen. Two local GM dealers claimed they could not even access part # from 1965. Napa will sell complete flywheel, probably from India for $160. Corvette Central book only list 168 tooth as did every where else I checked, except Paragon. I was prepared to flip it if no other recourse. Last time I did that was about 1968 on an 8N Ford tractor. Thanks again to all. This is why we have a great organization!

[Joe L.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Thanks for your help gentlmen. Two local GM dealers claimed they could not even access part # from 1965. Napa will sell complete flywheel, probably from India for $160. Corvette Central book only list 168 tooth as did every where else I checked, except Paragon. I was prepared to flip it if no other recourse. Last time I did that was about 1968 on an 8N Ford tractor. Thanks again to all. This is why we have a great organization!

Doug------


Any GM dealer that says they can't order the part number I provided is incompetent. That part is still available and they should be able to order it simply using the part number. They don't have to look up anything!!!!

As far as the complete flywheel is concerned, that is long-since GM-discontinued. If all yours needs is the ring gear, I suggest either reversing it as has been described or replacing it with the part I mentioned.

[Larry M.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Doug------


Any GM dealer that says they can't order the part number I provided is incompetent. That part is still available and they should be able to order it simply using the part number. They don't have to look up anything!!!!

As far as the complete flywheel is concerned, that is long-since GM-discontinued. If all yours needs is the ring gear, I suggest either reversing it as has been described or replacing it with the part I mentioned.

Just checked Joe's part number (3991407) on GM PARTS DIRECT. Item shows in-stock and available for $39. Probably $60 bucks total with shipping and handling. Go on-line and order tonight.....should be at your house sometime next week.

Larry

[Tom P.]

Re: Flywheel ring gear

Just checked Joe's part number (3991407) on GM PARTS DIRECT. Item shows in-stock and available for $39. Probably $60 bucks total with shipping and handling. Go on-line and order tonight.....should be at your house sometime next week.

Larry

YEP!
I also just checked with gmpartsdirect (online) and it is available.

MOST of the good, old timer GM parts guys are gone and it is becoming more difficult to get a GM parts guy to research and help out with parts.
One of the best Chevy parts guys that I ever delt with for 35+yrs retired about 3yrs ago. God I miss him!!!!!!!!!!