1950s 331 FLYWHEEL AND PRESSURE PLATE ID PLEASE [ANSWED THANKS]

[Paul Wier]

I WAS TOLD THESE TWO PIECES WERE FROM A 1953 CADILLAC WITH A MANUAL TRANS. NOT SURE IF THEY ARE STANDARD CADILLAC PARTS OR RACE CAR STUFF. CAN ANYONE HELP IDENTIFY THESE PARTS. THANKS, PAUL

[Jay Friedman]

It does look like these parts are standard 1949-53 manual transmission Cadillac parts.  I have a '49 331 with a manual transmission and the flywheel looks like mine.  The clutch pressure plate in the photos is also identical with mine.  This pressure plate is a Long Manufacturing Company Model 11CF which was not only used on 49-53 Cadillacs but on 41 to 48 Cadillac 346 engines as well as several other large cars of the era including Packard, Lincoln and some Ford cars and trucks.

[Paul Wier]

JAY, THANKS FOR FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION. YOU ARE A AN ASSET TO THE FORUMS.

PAUL

[Jay Friedman]

Paul, thanks for the kind words.

An interesting factoid about the manual trans flywheel is that the "ring gear", the part with the teeth that the starter drive engages, like on most flywheels is a separate piece that is a press fit on the flywheel.  As such, in case teeth get broken or there is any other problem, you can hack saw off the ring gear and replace it (that is, if you can find a replacement). On the corresponding Hydramatic flywheel the ring gear is not a separate piece, but is an integral part of the flywheel.  In case of problems, you have to replace the entire flywheel.