Some props have different recesses for the prop flange, but the ring gear will fit any way.
That's odd, I had my ring gear/flywheel marked for many years so I would always return it to the correct position and recently checked and it will only fit in one position, it will not fit down over the one prop thread insert in the 0 position if the flywheel is in the wrong position, and the prop will only go on in two locations 180 degrees so you can't get that wrong either. I bet you find more than one arrangement out there though.
That's odd, I had my ring gear/flywheel marked for many years so I would always return it to the correct position and recently checked and it will only fit in one position, it will not fit down over the one prop thread insert in the 0 position if the flywheel is in the wrong position, and the prop will only go on in two locations 180 degrees so you can't get that wrong either. I bet you find more than one arrangement out there though.
Some props have different recesses for the prop flange, but the ring gear will fit any way.
I have unfortunatley seen flywheels that would go on in any direction - not supposed to, but they did. So I am always suspicious now - put #1 at TDC and check the timing mark on teh back of the flywheel to make sure its in teh right spot when installling a new-to-me flywheel on an engine. It doesn?t;t take long to verify that you?ve got it right.
This wouldn't surprise me. A lazy or inattentive mechanic could replace the index bushing (the one with the larger OD) with one of the non-index bushings. This would allow the flywheel to be installed in any configuration. I would suggest confirming any flywheel installation on an engine new to you.
Larry
I don't think so, at least not on my O-360's
The hole in the crank flange is 0.031 larger diameter. The non-index bushing would not be a friction fit. See link in post #8.
However, with a big enough hammer I'm sure someone could make the flywheel fit in any orientation.