Lou sorry about that I should have included more detail. I actually figured out my issue. I spoke with John Mummert yesterday and he has run into this issue before. There seems to be some flywheels( manual trans) that are slightly larger in diameter. The starter ring gear I bought from autozone or Napa, which is a pioneer brand measured at 13.352” I.d., John referred me to a clutch shop that has also run into this issue and they had a starter ring gear that was custom made by LSC performance that had a 13.475” I.d.I haven’t installed it yet but definitely lines up and looks to be correct so I’ll follow up once it’s installed. I could use John mummerts flywheel if this doesn’t work out, but mine was in good shape and already resurfaced, the starter ring gear just had a couple chipped teeth. I’m upgrading to a y block mini starter. Thank you for your response and info!Can you provide some specifics? I'm assuming you're asking about a flywheel for a manual transmission, correct me if I'm wrong. Do you know what clutch size, or doesn't it matter? The good news is, the same flywheel is used for 272, 292 (312?) v8 Y-block engines so that should help broaden the search.
If you don't mind aftermarket, John Mummert shows aluminum and billet steel flywheels on his site http://www.ford-y-block.com/Fws-dampers.htm
Lou Manglass
It’s possible. Mine has a 10” clutch, but as far as replacement starter ring gears there is only one listed. There are no ford identifying numbers on my flywheel so I’m wondering if at some point it was replaced with an aftermarket but it’s just a guess. Do you know if the factory flywheels are marked with any ford part #’s ?I guess that explains why there were 3 part numbers! One for the reg. clutch, one for the HD clutch, and another just because!
What I do know about the trucks is this: the payload determined the sizes of the flywheel and clutches used. The stock F100s came with standard duty 10" Clutches when they got shipped out of the factory with passenger car tires and standard payload capacity. The trucks with the load range C 6.70x15 truck tires also used the same flywheel and clutch. But if you got the truck with the 6.50x16 load range C truck tires and heavier duty springs, you got the 11 inch clutch and flywheel for the heavier payload, and a 4 speed transmission. Now some trucks had a medium duty 3 speed which might account for the slightly bigger 10 inch flywheel.The following information is from the "1958 Ford Trucks Parts and Accessories Catalog." They list 2 flywheels that fit F100, F250, F350 and a third without model information that is described as: "Use with positive action starter." I'll translate into English as the catalog is a really rough read.
B4A-6375-B
Model Information: F100, F250, F350, B500, B600, all P-series. F100 with overdrive & 11" clutch. F100 with 3 speed light duty trans & 11" clutch. F100, F250 with 4 speed helical trans & 11" clutch.
Engines: 223, 272, 292.
Description: Used with 11" clutch. .060" x 45 degree chamfer on 2.126" I.D. crankshaft side. Six 5/16"-18 attaching holes for 12 3/8" diameter pressure plate.
B4A-6375-C
Model Information: F100, F250, F350 (w/o Ford-O-Matic trans)
Engines: 223
Description: Six 5/16"-18 attaching holes for 11 3/8" diameter pressure plate. (I think this is the 10" clutch).
B6J-6375-A
Model Information: None (One size fits all?)
Engines: 223, 272, 292
Description: Use with positive action starter. Six 5/16"-18 attaching holes for 11 3/8" diameter pressure plate AND six 5/16"-18 for 12 3/8" diameter pressure plate.
It appears that any of these would work on a 223 with the appropriate clutch.What
Ring Gear - As you mentioned, they only list one ring gear. EAA-6384-A: no model information, fits 223, 272, 292 engines, 146 teeth.
That's all I can find and doesn't really solve the mystery of the odd diameter flywheel. These engines were used in trucks up to 1964 and later for industrial purposes. If I can get my hands on a later catalog that has more information, I'll post it here when I can.
Lou Manglass