Backwards Flexplate

[The Devils Own Chariot]

Im so mad at myself :rant: I got the engine in and I started hooking everything up. I got to the flex plate and converter hook up and I saw right away what I had done. Put the stupid flexpate on backwards. I have solid motor mounts and I hate fighting with them. Has anyone pushed the tranny back slightly and changed a flexplate in the truck? Or am I better off starting over and fighting with solid motor mounts again?

 

[wildphil]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

I have not tried removing the flexplate while the engine was installed. So I'm not 100% sure. But I can't think of anything that would keep you from doing the work you need to do. Don't know if the trans. can be pushed back far enough. But even if you had to remove the trans. I personally would do that before pulling the engine.


Something I will add. You may already know this. When installing the TC. Slide it on the trans. Then turn it by hand you will feel the TC slide back on the trans. a little further. Do this two more times until it slides further on for a total of 3 times. If you don't have the TC installed correctly your pump inside the transmission will be damaged when you try driving. And you will be pulling the trans again.

 

[The Devils Own Chariot]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

Thanks for the reply. Anyone else.

 

[Sydwinder905]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

Yes. I have done the same thing before on a v8 s10. remove driveshafts and trans crossmember. unbolt trans while supporting it on a jack, roll it back and lower it down until you gain enough clearance to flip the flexplate. it may be slightly different on a syty due to the torsion bar crossmember.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

Can you access the motor mounts, not the frame pads? Remove the 3 bolts either side rather than the frame pads? Might be an easier option to slide the engine forward. Depends what you have on the front of the engine I guess.

If' you're inclined to drop the tranny slightly, that's probably the way to go, especially if you have done it before. Ugh... unlucky.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

Having just had my trans out for a converter change I'd say this can be done. You're gonna have to disconnect the cooling lines, drive shafts, wiring, cross-member for a start. Virtually everything as if you were removing the trans in order to get it down and back enough. If you don't remove the t-case the trans will slide back far enough but it will very awkward. IE the trans will end up tilted down and might block your access to the plate. (Ask me how I know?) If it were me I'd remove the t-case. Still better than removing the motor. You'll never just slide the motor ahead enough because the pan hits the front dif.

Just my thoughts because I wasn't concerned with the flex plate when I did all this.

HTH

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

can definitely be done. unbolt the driveshafts and tranny mount and bellhousing bolts and slide the thing back. You only need about 2-3" of clearance to get the bolts out

 

[The Devils Own Chariot]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

Thank you

 

[Logan]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

I have done it. Remove the driveshaft and disconnect the propshaft from the front diff, take out the bell housing bolts and trans mount. Slide the trans back a few inches and support it on a jack. All you need is enough room to get a breaker bar and the socket in there. This is easier if you have a lift but even if you are on the garage floor it can be done with a pizza, a six pack and 6 hours, and that is at the gettin' drunk and wrenching pace.

 

[DaveP]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

If you put it on with an impact, it's going to be tough to get off with a breaker bar. Round off a flex plate bolt, and you'll be pulling something (eng or trans) out anyway to get enough room to deal with the rounded bolt head.

Depends on how much of the engine is hooked up, determines whether the engine or trans is easier / faster. I can remove either one in about an hour on the lift. If the hood is still off, there's no coolant in it yet (mess), and you still have an engine hoist on site, I'd probably take the engine out.

 

[The Devils Own Chariot]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

Yeah Im going to take the engine out. I told the wife to head to grandmas house for the weekend. Taking the kids with her. Should be able to get a lot done with her and the kids gone

 

[Don W.]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

I can remove either one in about an hour on the lift.

I'd sure like to see Mr. Dave pull an engine or trans in an hour. I keep thinking I'd be watching a time lapse shot.:rotf:

 

[Osmosis]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

Yeah Im going to take the engine out. I told the wife to head to grandmas house for the weekend. Taking the kids with her. Should be able to get a lot done with her and the kids gone

Funny, my wife does the same thing when I"m doing a project like yours. She hates it when I work on my cars becasue sometimes....Sometimes I talk like and angry sailor

Remember, that converter needs to be fully seated and then when you bolt it up to the flex plate, it comes out almost 3/16 of an inch towards the front of the vehicle. I usually use a 3/16 inch drill bit and slide it between the converter and flex plate. My recent transmission rebuild had a bit more of a gap between this area due to the 10 vein pump that was installed so I had to put a washer in between the flex plate and converter. Just make sure there is enough space between the converter and flex plate and screw the converter bolts on evenly so the converter pulls out to the proper place. You don't want to do this job three times

 

[The Devils Own Chariot]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

You don't want to do this job three times

This is number 4 for me
Im getting really good at too. Just need to slow down and not put things in backwards.

 

[DaveP]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

I'd sure like to see Mr. Dave pull an engine or trans in an hour.

Let me clarify this statement. I can do it in about an hour, IF I or GM were the last person to install it. I didn't say I can pull any SyTy engine or trans in an hour. There are so many ways to screw things up so it takes longer for the next guy.


I went to remove the driver side motor mount through-bolt on a Syclone. Stock rubber mounts and manifolds. The bolt was installed from the front to the rear. The bolt is too long to come out if installed in this direction, it hits the down-outlet on the exhaust manifold. Obviously the bolt had been installed before the exhaust manifold was installed. I had to remove the P/S pump, to remove the metal bracket, to remove the exhaust manifold, after removing the crossover. While all this had to come off eventually, I usually do it after the engine is out, as it's easier and takes less time than the 45 minutes it added to getting the engine out. One backwards bolt which the previous "installer" probably never gave a second thought towards as to whether it makes a difference which way it goes in.

 

[wildphil]

Re: Backwards Flexplate

I'm so slow. I don't think that I could pull the engine out in 3 hours if I wanted to get the job done. I've had enough practice my Tys that I should be much faster. But I normally work at a pretty slow pace.