S4ordie

Only time I ever changed a clutch without having the flywheel machined was when I replaced it on the side of the road. Other than that I have replaced many clutches and always have the flywheel machined if possible, replaced if necessary. Bring it to a trans shop and have them machine it or send it to their machinist. They know exactly how much can be cut down and what sort of roughness is correct and it is relatively inexpensive.

Why would anyone go through the hassle of a clutch job and not resurface the flywheel. Granted there are many examples of where it worked out okay but even at a 5% chance of it slipping or wearing out prematurely why wouldn't you resuraface it just for the peace of mind, especially WYAAIT? Makes no sense to me to tempt fate, unless replacing clutches is a pleasant hobby for you.

Landseer

Its best practice agreed, but it doesn't need to be done and money needed to be allocated on my car at that point. I had to draw the line. Couldn't afford to restore every part. It will last at least 10 years the way I did it, per pictures. Same with brake rotors and pads.

Garth S

I recently 'hand finished' my flywheel, and it looked as good as the pressure plate & IP in the second pic .... no burnishing, grooves, or hardened spots; however, it was dished in towards the center ~ 0.007 .... so I had it ground flat. When done properly, both the table to which the flywheel is afixed and the grinding head rotate to produce the pattern seen.
If lathe machining were the only choice available, I would have passed and stuck with the prep done with a die grinder/2" discs.

Consider it $60 well spent ... the clutch action is as smooth as butta ...

Landseer

Well, I wish I'd done it. There. Said it.

S4ordie

That is funny, unnecessary to say but funny nonetheless. Truly wish you a lot of shifts/miles without issues.