785 flywheels Q's

[steve]

I need a good charging flywheel for a high output 785 motor. I know the 96 oem is a brownish color and is prone to blowing up. What are the best options? Jenetics? RAD? post 96?

[Bill O'Neal]

Steve,
MSD and RAD make starter rings (mag flywheels) for the 800 motors. Somewhat different than a normal "charging" flywheel in the fact that you still use the oem magneto bolted onto the aluminum starter ring (flywheel).
If I'm not mistaken, RAD makes them for MSD, so either would work well for you.
They save about 1 pound of weight.

The other option is any oem steel flywheel made after 1997. These are different than the 95-96 flywheels. They are dark black-blue in color. These do not break like the 95-96 models.

Also, be sure to update the ignition pickup to a 1997 or later pickup. The 95-96 pickups were prone to breaking too.

[steve]

Thanks for the info Bill.

I've already had the pickup break on me and updated 2 years ago. I have located a RAD flywheel with the charging cup on it for $150. Starting to sound like a great deal to me. What is different in the counterbalancers from newer years than the 96? I hear they are better.

[Bill O'Neal]

Yes, 1997 and later counterbalancers are better. The eariler CB's had straight edges at the bearings surfaces, whereas the later CB's have rounded shoulders that do a better job of relieving stress.
It gets real ugly when a gear breaks off.