After some time pondering this flywheel business over the weekend, I'd
   like to challenge the assertion that switching from manual to
   automatic flywheel requires a change to the counterweight on  the
   engine.

   The flywheel I have has clearly been balanced independant of the the
   engine.  There are weights welded to the rear face of the flywheel -
   presumably to allow it to spin true.  I assume that an automatic
   flywheel would be no different.  Given this, I cannot see how the
   counterweight -- which is part of the engine assembly -- plays into
   this.

   In a similar example, the first step of mounting a redrive is to add
   the dampener plate to the flywheel.  A dampener plate - I might add -
   which greatly changes the inertia of the flywheel & shows itself no
   signs of having been balanced (i.e, no weights added).  I find it
   difficult to believe that this is somehow different, and does not
   require a counterweight change, where the flywheel it is bolted to
   'does'.

   So -- am I missing something here?  Happy to be proven wrong, but this
   is not passing the smell test for me right now.

   (Yes, all of this is my desperate attempt to avoid having to fight the
   e-shaft nut off)

   Mark

   No Mark the counter weight is independant from the weight of the
   flywheel. Once balanced the engine will run fine with no flywheel.
   Only the counter weight is required. However your options are near
   zero.
   If you have Tracy's dampener plate you must have a disc with a ring gear
   to bolt it too. The ring gear must be in the right place as well
   as the mounting surface for the dampener plate.

   You need to start searching for an automatic transmission flywheel
   (flex plate) and a rear counter weight. You should then have the engine
   rebalanced with the new counter weight, the auto tx flex plate and
   Tracy's
   dampener to be totally correct. Many people don't bother and just get
   the right counter weight. You need to talk to Dave Lemon or John at
   Mazdatrix
   about the correct counter weight to be used with the high
   compression rotors
   they put in your engine.

   There are some light weight flywheels out that that might work however.

   Paul Lamar

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Mark, listen to Paul on this one.  Tracy's stuff will not bolt to the
manual fly wheel, only the automatic flex plate.

The flywheel has the counter balance built into it, so there is not
counter weight when using one.  The flex plate needs a counterweight to
match your rotors.  It is reasonable to get one that has already been
used and not have it balanced since it was presumably already done.
(still better to have it balanced).

If you buy an NEW one it MUST be balanced because they come overweight
in anticipation of being balanced with the assembly.

Flex plates and counterweights can sometimes be found on e-bay.