I have a '68 camaro with a new 385 being built. I have a lakewood bellhousing I believe it is part number 15000 but its been awhile since I put it in the car with the old engine. On the old engine I have a staggered bolt started which I assume means I have a 168t flywheel. for the new engine my machinist told me I should get a lightweight flywheel. I have found on ebay a 168 that is 21 lbs and a 153 that is 17 lbs. I am going to have to put the balancer plate on it because my cranks is an external balance crank. I got a 32 lb external balance flywheel but my machinist told me it woudl be too heavy for a performance application and that it would take too long to rpm up and then forever to come back down. because of this I am assuming I would be better off with the 17 lb 153t flywheel but I don't know if it will fit (long story about advance auto parts giving me the wrong starter and me not knowing better trying to make it fit for 4 or 5 hours in the middle of a miami summer outside with no other transportation). I don't remember why the starter didnt fit properly but I don't want to have that headache again. I have no problem buying another starter (although I'd rather not) if it will net me some worthy gains in power.
can one or more of the engine gurus here help me? I'm supposed to be ordering the parts right now but haven't yet because I don't know if I should order the 153 or 168. also whether the balancer plate sold to convert the internal balance flywheel to external balance flywheel will work on the smaller 153 tooth flywheel.
thanks in advance to all the knowledgabel replies I am sure I will recieve.
Chris

look at the starter pad on the motor.
2 holes in line = 153 tooth.
2 holes staggered = 168
3 holes = you could use either.

I disagree that light-weight flywheels are preferable. On the street you'll have to slip your clutch more and at the drags, a heavier flywheel is mo-betta for blast off.

The only place a lighter flywheel may have an advantage is road-type racing where you need quick revs coming out of turns.

Also, you can get externally balanced flywheels which means you don't have use the balance wing. $200 at Jeg's for SFI approved unit.

about what weight flywheel should I be shooting for?

I would use the factory weight. I'll usually defer to the many engineers at GM who spent millions on R&D.

Good luck!

Just get a good cast-iron flywheel be it big or small, so that it matches your b/h but with an "N" cast into it that means that it is made out of higher strength "Nodular/Ductile-iron" is all.

I think all of GM's hi-po f/w's are made out of it...

pdq67