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[Fot] Spitfire Flywheel Bolts

To: <fot@autox.team.net>
Subject: [Fot] Spitfire Flywheel Bolts
From: "Robert MacKenzie" <list@mackenzie.aero>
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 22:06:46 -0500
I have been building up a performance 1500 engine for my '79 Spitfire
street/autocross car.
Starting with a early 1500 block with flat-top pistons, I had  all the
spinning bits dynamically balanced and installed one of Ted's 275-4 cams.
9:1 CR topped off with  a ported head with custom bee-hive valve springs by
Costa Mesa R&D.  All in all a solid but not over the top spec looking more
towards reliability and drivability over outright performance.
One choice I made was to stick with a stock flywheel.  When I installed it I
used new bolts from a reputable specialist vendor.  I have heard that one
should not re-use the original bolts and I have also read the ARP bolts are
higher in shear strength but tend to be brittle and break.
The engine ran fine on first start but after a 45 min run-in the first time
I opened the throttle and brought it up to some serious RPM (5500 +) the
flywheel bolts failed.

Questions:
What is everybody else using in their full race motors?  
Could this just be a bad bolt or two?
What are your thoughts on APR vs stock hardware?

Robert MacKenzie
NASS # 511
Austin Texas
'79 1500 (street)
'62 Spitfire 4 (race)
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