Willys 161 flywheel

[warren]

I have misplaced my flywheel, after getting it back from the machine shop. I have looked everywhere I can think I might have stored it with no luck. I think the best solution at this time is to try to replace it, then I will immediately find my old one.  I am not having much finding a replacement either. I assume the L-head and the F-head use the same flywheel, by chance is the 134 flywheel that same?

[Corsairdeluxe]

On the Henry J ,the flywheels are different between the Aulolite and Delco equipped cars. I know very little about Willys, but suggest you replace with caution any one you know little about since the all bolt up and look the same.

[joefrazer]

The flywheel used on the Darrin is the same as was used on Delco equipped four and six cylinder Henry Js. It's part number 214004.

[MarkH]

The Aero parts book states part number 802925 for 4cyl, L & F-head 6cyl engines, 129 teeth.
I have no idea if this crosses to the HJ part number, maybe someone else will, but they are all fitted with AutoLite starters.

[Corsairdeluxe]

I wish I had an answer. I supply this only to reinforce the concept that you need to make sure you have the right one.
https://walcks4wd.com/ring-gear-flywheel-124-tooth.html

[joefrazer]

Darrins used Delco ignition components so the Willys Aero flywheel won't work. Same f-head six engine but, among other items, different bellhousing, starter and flywheel.

[warren]

Now I am really confused, I had one source tell me the 134 and the 161 used the same flywheel. I assumed then that my Darrin used the same flywheel with the 129 tooth gear but from the link it shows it  that this may not be correct and may need a 124 tooth gear.

[MarkH]

Your source may very well be right for a Willys with an AutoLite starter, and that seems to be what the Aero book says.

From what the Darrin & HJ guys are saying, you need a flywheel for a Delco starter equipped HJ, not an Aero wheel.

[warren]

I guess that could be the same flywheel with a 124 tooth gear vs a 129 tooth gear. I will continue my research.

[Fid]

I don't know if it will be of any help or not at this point but here are several pictures of the flywheels for the Delco equipped cars. It may help ID one if you're pursuing leads.  BTW, these are from Edgar Kaiser's Henry J which has a yellow engine.

[Corsairdeluxe]

Fid.. What is the tooth count. I tried to count from the photo, but these old eyes failed me.

[Fid]

Unfortunately, I was not able to attach the photos so I had to link them. I counted 129   I was able to upload it on this post so now you can download the pic, enlarge it and count them if needed.

[Fid]

Someone correct me if wrong but I think even if you have the flywheel for an Autolite starter, a good machine shop should be able to replace just the outer ring gear on  it.  Here's  few for sale on ebay

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=willys+flywheel+-kenda+-stemco+-Kuryakyn&_sacat=6000&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=10&_osacat=6000&_odkw=Henry+j+flywheel+-kenda+-stemco+-Kuryakyn&LH_TitleDesc=0

[warren]

you don't even need a machine shop to swap the flywheel gears, just an understanding wife. If you heat the ring in the oven to about 400 degrees the new gear should slide on. To get the old one off you can heat the ring with a torch, of just cut it if you don't want to save it. I did this on a boat motor a few years back.

[MarkH]

you don't even need a machine shop to swap the flywheel gears, just an understanding wife. If you heat the ring in the oven to about 400 degrees the new gear should slide on. To get the old one off you can heat the ring with a torch, of just cut it if you don't want to save it. I did this on a boat motor a few years back.

I did something similar with my pressed on generator pulley. Put the armature in the freezer for a couple hours, then heated the pulley on the grill of an electric heater...….literally dropped all the way into place & then stuck.


As for changing ring gears, if that is possible to go from Willys to HJ spec, there are 2 Willys 6cyl flywheels on ebay now with some buggered teeth.