I was wrong, it is the 164 tooth count! the torque converter driveplate bolt holes were the proper ones, as the one bolt mounts close to the torque converter plug as the haynes manual said it should. maybe it is the wrong weight? i don't see why cause i checked the OEM #'s strange.... i really didn't want to open her back up again, but i may as well... hopefully the rain holds off this weekend in portland.

 

Off topic again, but i too am having issues with the rain. I am hoping to get the top off my bronco tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

 

I would love to go topless on my '93.....the issue is that we bought it as our rainy day vehicle so the Mustang does not have to run down the red clay road..... ...oh well.

Now, as far as the OP....you will be under the truck so what has the rain to do with that job....lol

 

this PNW weather is getting old. I like the rain in moderation but lately it just sucks. If your tired of working on the damn thing give The Good Guys autocare in Clackamas a call and ask for Pat. Tell him Travis (bronco) sent ya.

 

thanks for the info on the good guys! yeah at least the weekends have been nice, bought my license and havent gotten a chance to go fishing. the rivers are gonna be fast and high for the next couple months, but some of the mountain lakes may be accessible in your bronco. i've always found the crappiest days bring the best fish, but i dont wanna spend my day soaking wet. until this flexplate issue is sorted i wont be doing any angling

 

well after some squirts of break cleaner....a brass bristle brush, and a pencil rubbing on a piece of paper I found the engine casting #

E0AE is the first four. I am quite confused tho, cause either this means it is a 1980 351c or a 1980 302....which could mean the flexplate I installed has the wrong counterbalance weight. however the one i took off and the one I put on are exactly the same, the weights are the same size, and theres an open "window" opposite the counterbalance. the flexplate on a 1980 302 doesn't have this....i believe...

which brought back memories of when I bought it, and how the PO said it was a 1980 originally, until the day I went to pick it up and he handed me the title and was like..."oh yeah its an 83" <--- this makes me think he had been buying parts for a 1980 engine/trans combo....which would agree with the casting # on the block.

so now I'm hoping that the 1980 starters for a 351 or 302 had a different tooth count or something to explain the lack of engagement of this flexplate.... its just sitting there still. and its a stones throw away from the junk yard at this point...too much grief. its even causing problems between my wife and i! just like a ford....

 

Oh man, teetering on the edge of the fence for the junkyard or getting it to work. I think you should take a few days vacation and once your all refreshed and the Mrs. is happy you can continue mulling over this issue.

Now do you actually know what motor you have in it? If you do there shouldn't be much issue with getting the correct flexplate besides maybe a slight change between the years.

 

I sure wish the OP would get this figured out so I can than know what I need to do to fix mine

 

Wink wink maybe there is a way to pull the flexplate off, put it on an old wheel hub or something then attach the starter to it via a clamp or bolts and slowly spin the flexplate to see what happens.

 

having an 80 year motor would make sense. whats tooth count on old starter and flexplate?

wonder if you can pull any number from the front balancer to know whats on there so you can be sure to match it up to proper balanced flexplate.