Flywheel ring gear

1978 CHEVROLET 1500
200,000 MILES • 5.7L • V8 • 4WD • MANUAL
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MUDDAWG
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I was about to order a new ring gear for my flywheel, but got concerned about the tooth count. My truck is a 1/2 ton pickup. I am thinking I have 168 tooth ring gear.

The question is, how do I know for sure what tooth count I have without having to pull the old one out and actually counting the teeth?

The engine is coming out soon but I want all my parts collected before I take the truck out of service. I am shooting for the very minimum down time.

Thanks
Aug 19, 2017 at 5:46 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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Remove the starter or any sort of access cover on the bell housing.

With a ratchet or pull bar hooked the harmonic balancer bolt, you or your buddy can rotate the crankshaft at your desired speed (slow and stop!).

Wherever you accessed the teeth, this is where you start counting!

I use a sharpie to mark beside every fifth or tenth tooth, sometimes writing the count there to to prevent confusion.

The Medic
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Aug 19, 2017 at 6:32 PM
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MUDDAWG
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So, was there no standard for flywheels of that age? Four speed with a 350 in a truck?
Aug 19, 2017 at 6:57 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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I looked it up at three online parts stores with the info you provided. The transmission did not influence the results.

All show an outer diameter 14.096 with 168 teeth.

If you are unsure of the history (any possible modifications or swaps in the past) of the vehicle, counting would not hurt.

This also might help you out! See my link below.

http://www.2carpros.com/questions/2001-dodge-neon-milage-just-want-put-fliuds-their-locations

Keep us posted w/ progress!

The Medic
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Aug 19, 2017 at 7:44 PM