"Carbides" on fuel flywheels?

[The Counterfeiter]

During an interview, Wilk stated that sparks coming from under T3's car were from "carbides" on the flywheel that contact the motorplate to help with rear main life. Mike Dunn (I think) commented that this was to damp clutch oscillations.
I've never heard of this - is it something new?

 

[Mooseman]

During an interview, Wilk stated that sparks coming from under T3's car were from "carbides" on the flywheel that contact the motorplate to help with rear main life. Mike Dunn (I think) commented that this was to damp clutch oscillations.
I've never heard of this - is it something new?

It sounds new , I am guessing that the Tasca/Wilkerson cars were having bad harmonics from the clutch causing a balance issue in the crankshaft . My guess is the carbides are to keep the clutch from coming out of alignment with the crank to stop any bad balance issues . Sort of like a harmonic balancer but for the rear of the engine.

I dont know I am only going by what was said so I could be completely wrong.

 

[J.C.]

During an interview, Wilk stated that sparks coming from under T3's car were from "carbides" on the flywheel that contact the motorplate to help with rear main life. Mike Dunn (I think) commented that this was to damp clutch oscillations.
I've never heard of this - is it something new?

Jim - were you the guy with the slide-rule in his pocket protector in his shirt pocket in high school?
Just kidding I think... Luv ya man!

 

[rollingthunder]

How long would it take for the carbides to cut the motor plate though ?
since it would act like a cutter on a lathe. The flywheel spinning with the carbides and the motorplate being the steel.

 

[Mooseman]

How long would it take for the carbides to cut the motor plate though ?
since it would act like a cutter on a lathe. The flywheel spinning with the carbides and the motorplate being the steel.

Lol I was wondering that as well but I think these nitro guys are a hell of alot smarter then most so are probably fully aware of that allready and probably have a solution.

 

[Guppy]

We have been using them for several years and easily get a couple seasons out of a motor plate.

 

[Mooseman]

We have been using them for several years and easily get a couple seasons out of a motor plate.

Without showing any secrets would you be able to post a picture of the setup , I am very interested in this and would like to see how it works?

 

[The Counterfeiter]

Jim - were you the guy with the slide-rule in his pocket protector in his shirt pocket in high school?
Just kidding I think... Luv ya man!

Accusations from a guy who has an advanced EE degree? Slide rule yes, pocket protector no! Geekiness was tempered by the '57 Chevy 2 dr hardtop and the B/Dragster - BTW - I still have that slide rule!

 

[rollingthunder]

it is a pretty good idea when i heard mike dunn talking about it after Tim talked about it. I was thinking someone would have came up with a bearing or bearing set up on the back of the flywheel to cut down on fricton and drag.

 

[Mooseman]

it is a pretty good idea when i heard mike dunn talking about it after Tim talked about it. I was thinking someone would have came up with a bearing or bearing set up on the back of the flywheel to cut down on fricton and drag.

Its not the friction or drag thats the problem , Wilkerson mentioned the clutch coming out of alignment with the crank , that would cause a dramatic balance issue in the crankshaft which would create very very bad harmonics . The Carbides are obviously setup to keep the clutch in proper alignment with the crank .

 

[rollingthunder]

i understand the purpose of the carbides. I am saying with a bearing running on the motorplate instead of the carbides it would create less friction. No sparks under the cars. But with all the longer it runs probably greater cost than what you would gain.

 

[Mike]

i understand the purpose of the carbides. I am saying with a bearing running on the motorplate instead of the carbides it would create less friction. No sparks under the cars. But with all the longer it runs probably greater cost than what you would gain.

A bearing has been thought of. But considering the environment it would have to live in, it becomes unpractical. The carbides basically take the place of a bearing and their purpose is to keep the flywheel from flexing out of alignment with the crank which would, of course, tear up the rear main. With the frequent servicing (every run) of the clutch, this becomes a much more practical way of handling the issue.

 

[Mooseman]

Could someone post a picture of this setup , I would very much like to see how it works .

 

[big guy]

The carbides are just 6 1 1/4 in pucks in reciever hloes in the back of the flywheel.they ride agaist the motor plate only when the whole assembly try`s to get out of whack.most the teams put some antisieze on the motor plate to keep them from gouging.

 

[Nitrohelper]

I've never heard of this - is it something new?

Clayton Harris started doing this in the late '80's .
Of course he was ahead of most Nitro burners with his thinking on many subjects!
He should have stayed away from airplanes.

 

[Bross Hawg]

The carbides are just 6 1 1/4 in pucks in reciever hloes in the back of the flywheel.they ride agaist the motor plate only when the whole assembly try`s to get out of whack.most the teams put some antisieze on the motor plate to keep them from gouging.

I would set our's between .030" and .050" clearance. Any more clearance, it would smoke #5 bearing, any tighter and it would vibrate terribly from "ramping" over the stiffining ribs on back of block (it would actually deform the motor plate to do this). If you look at the motor plates, you can see the circle as heat marks and it will wear a gouge in the plate. It would vary how often we changed our plate out, but several times a year. We were just starting to get a specially coated motor plate before I left at the end of 06'.

 

[Bill]

RE "Clayton Harris started doing this in the late '80's .....

He should have stayed away from airplanes"

Ditto, Dave Zeuschel....

 

[Big Sexy]

On my clutch they are Ti buttons. They ride real close to the motorplate, and if you get any "rub" out of them, it is supposed to save the number 5 main. Not always! But most of the time.