4.3L Timing/Clutch/Flywheel

YJJPWrangler

YJJPWrangler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Location
Charlotte
I am getting ready to get the drivetrain together for the Willys. However, I need some help.

I have a 1991 4.3L. Its being mated to a SM420/D300. I still need to order the clutch/pressure plate/pilot/throwout/hydro slave. I have a flywheel that needs to be machined/resurfaced.

The problem is this. The flywheel was off the motor when I got it, the distributor was off as well. I have hand rotated the motor more times than I can count. I have seen that prior to removal, the flywheel should be marked so that exact location can be installed again. Obviously this did not happen. Same issue with the distro. I'm assuming that I can set the motor to TDC on cyl 1 and then install the distro correct? Does it matter how the flywheel is bolted back up?

Any advice/tips for this?

Thanks,
 
Flywheel to crank pattern is assymetric. Dist gets set at tdcc and point at #1 tower, crank while pressing down gently to get it to drop into oil pump or align it so it drops in.
 
a_kelley said:
Flywheel to crank pattern is assymetric. Dist gets set at tdcc and point at #1 tower, crank while pressing down gently to get it to drop into oil pump or align it so it drops in.
Click to expand...

So, if they are assymetric, whats the best way to ensure correct fitment? IIRC, the 4.3 is balanced with the flywheel so I would assume its pretty important. Currently, the dist is installed(dropped in and meshed together). I assume I will need to remove the dist, set cyl 1 to TDC and then reinstall dist and rotor pointed to #1 tower?
 
Is there a dowel to align the flywheel? Seems like there should be 7 holes in the flywheel, 6-bolts and 1 for an alignment pin.

You probably will need a pressure plate and pilot bushing for a truck with an sm465, and (if I remember correctly) the transmission splines are the same as an 80-86 jeep CJ. I think I have a NIB Napa clutch kit for an sm465, you can take it home and try it to see if anything fits before you buy anything. Will look around, may have a used CJ disc as well.
 
@strange1 is correct. they do use a roll/dowel pin to align the flywheel, but still, you can do it by eye if the pin is missing (align pinhole to pinhole), so it may not be asymmetric (most are that I have seen on most engines, only bolts on one way)..

on the dist, simply position #1 @ TDCC and drop it in and engage shaft in the pump. you can turn the pump with a long screwdriver to align it or simply bump the motor while holding the dist from rotating with slight down pressure and it will just fall into place, then add retainer and lightly snug bolt so you can set timing later with a light or your ear.
 
I went and looked and there is a dowel, so that part should be easy.

I still need to set the motor at TDCC and set the distributor. I will probably work on that today.
strange1 said:
You probably will need a pressure plate and pilot bushing for a truck with an sm465, and (if I remember correctly) the transmission splines are the same as an 80-86 jeep CJ. I think I have a NIB Napa clutch kit for an sm465, you can take it home and try it to see if anything fits before you buy anything. Will look around, may have a used CJ disc as well.
Click to expand...

This is what I found on rockauto

More Information for LUK 04902

And I would be using this master

More Information for LUK LMC132

I don't know if a SM465 clutch would work in the 420? @strange1 you were going to put this behind a 4.3 so the splines should be correct? I just need to swap out input bearing retainer and I should be good to go.
 
The 465 and 420 have different spline counts on the input. My plan was to run the 465 clutch kit (it matches my flywheel, but not sure about yours) and replace the disc with one from an 80-86 CJ. I will bring what I have to Charlotte next Monday and you can take it and see if that will work, or you can take your flywheel to a parts store and see if the sm465 pressure plate will bolt up. I would definitely confirm that before having flywheel surfaced. You may end up needing a v8 flywheel.
 
Actually, just checked Novak's website and they list both transmissions as being 1-1/8" x 10-spline. I would confirm that, and get a clutch kit for an 86 k10 with the 4.3
 
Sounds good. That clutch kit I found was for a S10. I have a flywheel for the S10 but it will need to be resurfaced before using it. I'm assuming that I need to match the flywheel to the pressure plate/clutch. Sooo I should be looking for the correct flywheel from a K10 and not a S10. I will check spline count when I get home today. Shoot me a text and I can meet you Monday @strange1
 
Just a quick glance at Rockauto shows the same clutch(LUK #04902) will fit both the K10 and the S10 with the 4.3
 
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