440 BB Flywheel Q's

[spcedwards214]

Ok so the 440 motor I got and is currently at the machine shop came as just a block. So i'm completely building it with the cast crank, rods, and KB pistons. It didn't have a flywheel/flex plate or anything behind. What size, tooth, etc would I need? I've never built one and apparently do not know how it is set up just yet. Anything helps, just trying to prepare for the build once it leaves the shop. What's the difference in a flex plate and flywheel also? I'm running a 3 speed 727 behind it. Just need to know what to get at this point. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Flywheel is for manual transmission cars. You need a faceplate to connect the crank shaft to the torque converter. Now someone else can chime in since im not familiar with cast crank 440's. Are they externally balanced? If they are your torque converter will need to have balance weights attached.

 

[spcedwards214]

Ya I'm kind of building this thing as I go, I believe the cast cranks are externally balanced. Just trying to figure out what the motor needs to attach the torque converter to the rear of the motor/crank. Can't find pictures and don't have much help here.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

You just need a flexplate. They list internal and external plates. I have never seen a difference in factory plates myself. Im thinking their external balance plates are designed to use a standard torque converter. Or buy a regular flexplate and a converter with counter weights.

http://m.summitracing.com/search/part-type/flexplates/make/dodge/engine-size/7-2l-440

 

[IQ52]

You might enquire of the machine shop how they intend to balance your engine, whether internally or externally. Then purchase the appropriated flexplate/torque converter combination.

 

[Garys1969RR]

Ya I'm kind of building this thing as I go, I believe the cast cranks are externally balanced. Just trying to figure out what the motor needs to attach the torque converter to the rear of the motor/crank. Can't find pictures and don't have much help here.

Yes the 440 cast cranks are externally balanced with a couple counter weights welded onto the torque converter. I have also seen the weights welded onto the flex plate if the torque converter was built for a forged crankshaft engine which is internally balanced. Also keep in mind that the harmonic balancer is part of the external balancing from the factory. It says on the front FOR CAST CRANKSHAFT ONLY. It may even say what engine size, as 400s and 440s both came with forged (internal balance) or cast (external) balancing.

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Bolt a flex plate to the crankshaft. Then after the engine and trans are bolted together, you attach the torque converter to the flex plate with 4 short bolts. And there are 2 bolt sizes, and 2 flex plate sizes. The smaller diameter flex plate uses larger (Hemi Style) bolts. I have all the bolts, several flex plates (both sizes) and a couple T/Converters if you need any thing.

 

[lewtot184]

externally balanced engines from the factory had balancing weights welded to the torque converter and a special counter weighted harmonic balancer. if you don't have the converter with the weights then you will need a flex plate specially made for this, B&M makes one. be sure your harmonic balancer is for a cast crank. i've heard, but not 100% sure, that the cast crank assemblies will internally balance with the KB pistons.