Flywheel: flexplate

Here's the "ring" in the end of the crank that can cause thrust bearing failure if used in a manual tranny setup.  The "ring" protrudes and will not allow flush mounting of the flywheel.  A few high revs, the flywheel bolts come loose, flywheel starts to wobble pushing and pulling violently on the crankshaft.  Very quickly your thrust bearing is gone then the crank will start it actually eat into the block.  The "ring" is to center the flexplate and provide a centering point for the torque converter.  The ring has a step in the bottom and if installed backwards will not allow the torque converter to be inserted.  Big problem if installed backwards and you are trying to install the engine and nothing will bolt together :).  Clean your flywheel bolts and all mating surfaces-a wire wheel on a bench grinder is a good way to do this.  Make sure every bolt can be fully inserted into the crank with your fingers, the ring will be flush with the outer edge of the reinforcement ring.  If the "ring" isn't inserted enough the flywheel bolts will hit it, if inserted in too far the outer reinforcement ring won't remain centered.  Notice now when all the flywheel bolts are finger tightened that the flex plate has a small amount of movement.  The bolts do not have shoulders is why the plate moves.  Now remove one bolt at a time, apply locktite and reinsert and hand tighten again; repeat for remaining bolts.  Now, looking straight at the flex plate turn it clockwise to take up the slack in the holes.  Now tighten the bolts using a torque wrench. 

click on any picture to enlarge

The "ring" as used in the Flexplate of an automatic, DEATH for the crankshaft in a 5sp	torque tube centering stub, this must easily insert into the "ring"	"ring" should spin easily, be free of burrs and RUST	"ring" goes in here, DO NOT hammer in until it just STOPS, that will put it in TOO FAR	clean all mating surfaces
flex plate must fasten to the torque converter after you install the engine, this is upside down so you'd have BIG problems if bolted like this	upside down flex, bolts won't even tighten down	correct orientation of flex to the converter, the flex must mount to the crank so it will fasten on like this	bolts will torque down properly	for illustration and fitment only, place flex on converter
now test fit "ring" into flex and onto converter stub	reinforcement ring, one goes on each side of the flex	checking for the correct depth to install the "ring"	ring goes in far enough to be flush with the reinforcement ring, notice how the bolts will hit the "ring" if not in far enough	note: "ring" not in far enough
"ring" flush, hand tighten each bolt then turn flex clockwise to take up the slack in the bolts from not having shoulders	after tightening all the bolts, double check that the converter goes on properly and completely		properly installed flex

 

home