open flywheel
 

so i was looking under my car today because there are these ramps that were built for 18 wheelers near where i live that are abandoned and they allow me to stand under my car. anyway, as my friend and i were looking around, we noticed that the flywheel was not covered at all and was fully visible facing the front. Is this standard? Why would the flywheel be left unprotected? And there are bolt holes on the outside of the divider between the flywheel and the tranny. Seems weird to me.

Jason

you are missing the bottom plate that covers the flywheel.

I have the same problem. Noticed it a while back. You can order the "inspection plate" from just about anyone. About $10-$15 I believe. Haven't installed mine yet. Need to figure out the size bolts that go to it.

Mine is the same way. I've been to lazy to fix it. The other day, I heard a rock get in there, munched up, then nothing. I should go and buy one. I also need the bolt sizes.

so i take it this is a common thing, but is this the way that it came out of the factory? if so, why would ford leave the flywheel unprotected? doesn't make sense to me. is this the same on all 60's mustangs? i'm looking for a little history on this.

Jason

No it does not come from the factory like that. You plate is missing. At some time it was removed and never put back on. I think the bolt size is 1\4 by 1\2 long.

if mustangs do come with this cover installed, then why have so many of them been removed? there must be a main reason why they have been removed, because it can't just be a coincidence that so many of them are missing for different reasons.

Most are lost, or bent. Or like me, forgot to put it back on, then lost the bolts. Then I lost the plate, go fiqure

When I got my mustang mine was missing but it was in a box parts that came with the car. Stay away from plastic covers.

Yes, true. The plastic ones get too brittle and break, sending all sorts of stuff into your flywheel.

It's no biggie, but after alot of years, some non-essential things are just lost. Get a new one if it bothers you or you show the car. I personally still want one just to keep the road grime out of there.

Rev

if anybody has read my other thread about the weird noises coming from my transmission, i was wondering if these two subjects could be related. maybe because my flywheel is exposed, something got in there while i was driving and that is what's causing the noises. possible?

Yes, it could be, a rock might have gotten in there. I know my tranny a while back was making a noise, but all it was, was my plate between the tranny bellhousing and the motor got bent, and was rubbing the flywheel. It stopped after a while. Nothing bad. It wasen't too loud. Only when I stepped on the gas.