Light weight flywheel mod W/ hardware

**lwilde.0422** · 03-10-2017, 11:55 AM

I can believe that, 1/2" aluminum is far to thick and therefore way to heavy for this application likley cracking under its own weight. 1/2" will not flex enough to withstand the constant vertical forces exerted on a bouncy race boat. 1/4 " with relief holes should.

By the way RBT, I find it very interesting you and Chris Carson both bashed me (and other members) and just minutes after I spoke with him.. regarding the same Seabold wheel.. I'm sure it just coincidence though.. funny thing too is Chris wanted one of my wheels

**lwilde.0422** · 03-10-2017, 12:07 PM

Then can you please rephrase your delete your earlier comment.

**90 5.0** · 03-10-2017, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by nitro_rat

I will retract my previous post which was derogatorily speculative.

I work with high-speed rotating machinery, but for this application maybe sfi standards would be a starting point for comparison:

http://www.sfifoundation.com/wp-cont...9.2_082616.pdf

SFI standards indicate that the flexplate should be balanced by the manufacturer and spun to 12.5-13.5K RPM for 15 minute intervals until a total of 1 hour run time has been achieved. The part is then to be dye-pen or mag-particle inspected for signs of cracking.

Test bars are also to be broken from the parent material to determine its suitability.

You stated that you are using 6061 aluminum, so looking at the specs:

sfi calls for 35,000 psi min yield strength, 42,000 psi min yield strength and 8% min elongation.

6061 specs call for 40,000 min yield strength, 45,000 psi min yield strength and 12% min elongation.

The only possible issues that I see are balance related and a possible lack of testing. As you are not selling an assembled flywheel, you have no control over the balance of the final assembled unit.

It's probably ok for what most guys are going to do with it. Maybe better than stock. Sure does look cool...

Thats an Sri regulation for a flex plate on an. Auto trans , which has you know a Torque converter bolted to it, never seen one of those on top of a Merc outboard.

So different specs of course would be required.

These we should be fine for what they do

**90 5.0** · 03-10-2017, 12:40 PM

Also I used to be a level 3 NDT(Non destructive testing) tech for many years, I have experience in die pen, mag particle , x-ray and ultrasonic testing.

If anyone wants to run one for a while and send it to me I'll do a complete die penetrant test on it for free. Just send with a return shipping label.

**lwilde.0422** · 03-10-2017, 12:45 PM

That would be great! Anyone of my customer who wants to send theirs in let me know I will PayPal you the shipping funds.

Obviously, it would be thought of a biased if I send mine in..

**nitro_rat** · 03-10-2017, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by 90 5.0

Thats an Sri regulation for a flex plate on an. Auto trans , which has you know a Torque converter bolted to it, never seen one of those on top of a Merc outboard.

So different specs of course would be required.

These we should be fine for what they do

I am aware that it is for a flex plate on an auto trans, but there is no standard for comparison in the marine world. Different specs may well be required, but the SFI spec is at least a starting point from a similar application.

An auto trans flexplate has a hub that is attached to the crankshaft flange at its ID, and a ring gear for starting at its OD. There is a spec there for a similar part, tested to a similar maximum speed.

The SFI rotational test only includes the flexplate, engine block, and a "suitable containment chamber to protect test personnel." The flexplate is driven by a spindle. The crankshaft and torque converter are not part of the equation. I would think that a similar testing protocol would also be suitable for the outboard application.

In high-speed rotating couplings, the bolts are supplied in weight matched sets. Depending on the tolerance of the provided bolts, the tolerance of the original Merc bolts, and the tolerance of the original balance job, there is a potential to end up with a poorly balanced end product. Will it make a difference in longevity? Anybody's guess without some hard data.

If the Merc bolts weren't weight matched, and the flywheel was balanced after assembly, that leaves the biggest potential for an imbalanced assembly. The odds may be in favor of assembling something without a gross imbalance, but again, more hard data may be necessary to know for sure.

Again, probably ok for what most guys are going to do with it, and it sure does look cool!

Originally Posted by 90 5.0

If anyone wants to run one for a while and send it to me I'll do a complete die penetrant test on it for free. Just send with a return shipping label.

Stand up offer, also great to see guys making aftermarket parts for these motors! This is what is going to help keep this hobby alive!

**Krazymaan** · 03-10-2017, 10:13 PM

Mine is going to be balanced. I wouldn't want to decapitate the clown behind me.

Or would I?

**Krazymaan** · 03-11-2017, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by lwilde.0422

Great question! I have a customer putting one on a 10k rpm Jon Wright motor. Here's the thing, it's stronger and lighter than the stock steel. Dropping just under 1lb of mass rotating 10k rpm is a HUGGGGG difference!!!! You won't break this thing with RPM

What a coincidence, I really am going to be putting it on my Jon Wright motor. I'm hoping for the huge difference version, not really a hug kind of guy.

**Krazymaan** · 03-12-2017, 01:11 AM

Got my flywheel tops today, Looks great. I'm gonna have to laser etch my company name in them and say I made them.

**Schramer** · 03-20-2017, 08:29 PM

I got a little bit of incite from another thread that, combined with this one, is making me a little bit confused....I haven't seen anyone bash you, or any other members at all!? You say something about these comments possibly "being posted for everyone to see" which means you have some kind of information/discussions that have either transpired in PRIVATE, were intended to be PRIVATE, (or got deleted from this thread that I haven't seen) and that you may bring them out to the public that were never meant for the public in the 1st place, why?? Do you think that these (BTW, well respected) people on this site just got here yesterday and start fights & mess with people for fun???? Do you have any clue how hard it is to even get, yet alone maintain, a good reputation on this site is with all the people now-a-days that trash anybody at the slightest "whatever" comment that comes from them.....especially when these EXPERIENCED guys also come on here to help the common good, not hurt it!?

Look.....I think that what you are making/selling here is a piece that could possibly help and/or make a LOT OF PEOPLE on this site -or possibly beyond this site- really happy with a simple mod to a motor that would help them get a step closer to their goal is great....and I'm all for it!!!! But, regardless of what these people supposedly said to you, I personally haven't seen any testing results, a disclaimer saying this is an "untested unit" that needs to be balanced again after assembly, or anyone that has even technically ran this mod over 8k (let alone for a period of 20+ hrs in rough water), makes me (as a consumer) very nervous. Then... when you start stating things (like you have) in order to take away people's credibility, of which some of the highest respected people that have been on this site waaaaay longer than most of us with reputations that continue to grow, and throw them in the garbage like they were yesterday's news is ludicrous!!!! These guys stand in line to help people like us and our drive to go faster & often most of the time they don't get a friggin dollar from it, and then turn around and spend their own money to support the very site you bash them on!!!! For that matter, I would have to definitely assume that you do not own your own business.

They were here before many of us joined..... and they will probably be here after many of us leave too. All I hope for is that most the people in the middle of this all check their ego at the door and listen to some of these people from time to time.....they may end up like me and learning more that they ever could imagine, and eventually wanting to stick their foot in their mouth for chit they said before they sat down and thought about it!!! Many have humbled me in my time

**lwilde.0422** · 03-20-2017, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Krazymaan

Got my flywheel tops today, Looks great. I'm gonna have to laser etch my company name in them and say I made them.

Thanks Krazymaan! Really glad you like them. Please post your review once you get her running! Pictures are always awesome too

**graynester** · 03-20-2017, 09:27 PM

the plates do look nice.

well said schrammer
i don't know much but i'm going with flex plate

ps the wisdom on this site on hull design, history and outboards is second to nun, due to the engineering and testing.... and retesting.... and rerunning parts and theory's making them proven.

without this site, a guy like me would not be able to own, run and keep my own stuff going.

thanks to this sight and its knowledgeable members for bringing hi-po boating into my life!

looks like a nice piece. B

**lwilde.0422** · 03-20-2017, 10:06 PM

Schramer- Thanks for the post. Having reciently separated from serving my country I know the difference between humility and disrespect.

No doubt, I have eaten my own words in my day. After a long conversation with Chris Carson on this subject, I understand where you are coming from as well. So again, thank you for the post and words of wisdom.

On the other hand, I sold out of plates faster than expected. So far I have recieved only GREAT reviews. Tests are being done and I have requests to build these for other motor applications as well.

**Schramer** · 03-21-2017, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by lwilde.0422

Schramer- Thanks for the post. Having reciently separated from serving my country I know the difference between humility and disrespect.

No doubt, I have eaten my own words in my day. After a long conversation with Chris Carson on this subject, I understand where you are coming from as well. So again, thank you for the post and words of wisdom.

On the other hand, I sold out of plates faster than expected. So far I have recieved only GREAT reviews. Tests are being done and I have requests to build these for other motor applications as well.

I am a DEVOUT PATRIOT so I thank you for your service to this beautiful country of ours!!!!! I'm also very glad you are selling these like hotcakes and hope the best for you!

That being said, you have not addressed the issues of detailed testing, any kind of notes to the balancing of this unit after assembly, or proof to the people that are buying this product will have a reliable AND SAFE piece that will hold up to the abuse some people put their motors through.

I still think it is a great idea but if an aluminum top plate for a high perf/high rpm motor was a viable weigh savings option, the big corporations would have done it a long time ago.? I personally saw a high perf flywheel come apart at Jasper one year that ate the entire top of the motor and cowl apart. These things could be compared to a shotgun blast or a hand grenade with the amount kinetic energy involved with one spinning north of 10,000 rpms! This is all I'm going to say on this matter....I have spoke my peace bud.

Schramer