stripped flexplate
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New User
Joined: Jul 2003
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stripped flexplate
My 1971 F250 PU's flexplate is stripped and it's causing the starter to strip as well. I know I need to replace the flexplate, but in the meantime I've been replacing the gear on the starter when it becomes stripped. So far so good. But, the flexplate's teeth are so stripped that they're not catching on the starter anymore. Can I turn the flexplate over so that the undamaged part of the teeth are facing out? Any suggestions?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,260
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From: Napa
stripped flexplate
I have to admit I know little about motors and even less about tranny's. However, if you're going to turn the flexplate around, why don't you just replace it? Either way you're going to go through the same crap to get to it right?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
stripped flexplate
Yeah, maybe you can turn the flex plate over and reuse it. But it might be a one way fit.
Flex plates are usually pretty cheap(last one I bought was $10 from the dealer, long ago tho) and if you are going through the trouble of pulling the tranny, why not just do it right? It will save you hassle in the long run.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Flex plates are usually pretty cheap(last one I bought was $10 from the dealer, long ago tho) and if you are going through the trouble of pulling the tranny, why not just do it right? It will save you hassle in the long run.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 255
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth
stripped flexplate
Flexplates are concave - it will only go on one way - that and the bolt holes on the crank aren't the perfect circle they appear to be - there is a counterweight on the plate that has to be in the correct postion. I suppose you could have the gear cut off of the flexplate and welded back on the other side out, then have it rebalanced. A new one from Autozone is $50, a wrecking yard should sell you one for less than half that... sounds like the law of diminishing returns takes effect - it wouldn't be worth messing with trying to fix the old one to me.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 662
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From: CA
stripped flexplate
Face it, it's a bit of work getting that flexplate out of there (dropping driveshaft, dropping tranny, etc,)...so why bother reworking a junk flexplate ring gear when flexplates are a dime a dozen in the boneyards?
For the cost of cutting off the old ring gear, buying a new ring gear and having it mounted and then getting it balanced again, you could buy 6 good used units!!
Not trying to lecture (lol), but think about it....
For the cost of cutting off the old ring gear, buying a new ring gear and having it mounted and then getting it balanced again, you could buy 6 good used units!!
Not trying to lecture (lol), but think about it....
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 255
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth
stripped flexplate
That was my point Polkat...
I also could swear I've heard there is a difference in the tooth-count between Flexplates for C4's and C6's - I know the flexplate is a bit smaller diameter on the C4 - I'm not sure if that means the starter gears are also cut different to mesh with them correctly; If so and you are using the wrong gears that might be why you keep chewing up starters/flexplates - can anyone confirm a difference in starters between the the two trannys? All I have is C6 stuff here...
I also could swear I've heard there is a difference in the tooth-count between Flexplates for C4's and C6's - I know the flexplate is a bit smaller diameter on the C4 - I'm not sure if that means the starter gears are also cut different to mesh with them correctly; If so and you are using the wrong gears that might be why you keep chewing up starters/flexplates - can anyone confirm a difference in starters between the the two trannys? All I have is C6 stuff here...
