I have a 98 f150 with 4.6l an 4r70w trans im on my second flex plate when I pulled the trans this time the tc was stuck to flex plate an the center of flex plate was busted around the bolts it has the remo engine in it but the studs on the tc were stuck in the flexplate I got them apart but it looked as if holes were off center on studs orded new tc an flex plate again any ideas someone had been in it before me an there is 1 bolt missing in top of housing an one was to long an didn't tighten up could that cause it to do it

 

I have a 98 4.6L with the 4R70 transmission.
I'm on my second flex plate.
This time the torque converter was stuck to the flex plate and center mounting was broken out around the crank bolts.
The motor is a remanufactured replacement.
Someone had been in there before me as there was one bolt missing from the top of the bell housing. Would that make any difference?
And one bolt was to long and did not tighten up.
Any one have any ideas?.
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Yes I do.
Use correct parts.
Index the plate to match the crank hole spacing because they are not spaced evenly for rotating balance reasons.
Put all bolts in their correct locations and torque to spec.
There is no reason for this to be happening.
Do a better job when posting please. Don't run everything together.
Good luck.

 

Had a flex plate break once many years ago, on a 1970 Mustang. The plate was broke when I bought the car. The problem I found was it was missing 1 top bolt and 1 side bolt on the bell housing. It let the tranny and engine flex apart slightly. Not sure if that was the cause, but it fixed the problem.
I would check the parts you took out and make sure they belonged in your application. I would also double check to make sure you have the engine and transmission you think you do. Make certain things were not changed by a previous owner. The torque converter holes should match up exactly to the flex plate.

 

If either or both of the dowel pins in the block ears/ bellhousing are missing you will continue to break flexplates. You must have both. The bolts alone are not good enough.
Does the torque conv stick on the flexplate with a good flexplate? The gold nuts that are used are one time use per Ford. If they come loose you can crack the flexplate.
I *have* re used them myself but I made sure they were torqued properly. A 9/16 will fit tight on them and make sure you tranfer torque without rounding.